This inspection was unannounced and took place on the 10 September 2018.

The Cottage is a ‘care home’ operated by Bright Futures Care Limited. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The Cottage is a four-bedroom detached bungalow that accommodates up to two people in one adapted building. The care home is situated in a semi-rural location setting within a shared court yard with a private garden. Each person has their own bedroom with en-suite facilities and a shared communal lounge and kitchen area. Two of the bedrooms were used by staff that provide sleep in support. At the time of our inspection the service was accommodating two people.

The care home has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At the last inspection in February 2016 we rated the service as good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At the time of the inspection there was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Positive relationships had been developed between people using the service and staff. Staff spoken with demonstrated a sound awareness of the needs of the people they supported and interactions with people were kind and caring. People living in the care home also presented as relaxed and content in the company of their staff.

People’s holistic needs and any known risks to their health and wellbeing had been assessed. Care and support plans had also been developed which provided detailed information on the support requirements of people living in the care home and how to deliver responsive care and support.

The registered provider operated within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. People had been appropriately assessed and the relevant Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) had been submitted to and approved by the relevant authority.

People were supported to access a range of educational, social, recreational and leisure activities and encouraged to participate in activities of daily living. This included opportunities to maintain meaningful contact with family members and friends.

Medication was appropriately managed and staff continued to work in partnership with a range of health and social care professionals to ensure people had access to specialist services and their general health and wellbeing was maintained. People were also supported to maintain a healthy diet and received nutritious, wholesome and balanced meals.

Robust recruitment policies and procedures were in place to ensure prospective employees were of suitable character to work with vulnerable people and all required documentation was in place.

Sufficient numbers of staff were employed and deployed to meet the needs of people living in the care home. Staff had undertaken a range of induction, mandatory, service specific and qualification level training that was relevant to their roles and responsibilities. The training helped staff to understand the complex support needs of

This inspection was unannounced and took place on the 22 February 2016.

This was the first inspection of The Cottage by the Care Quality Commission since the service was registered in April 2015.

The Cottage provides both accommodation and personal care for two adults with autistic spectrum disorder needs. The registered provider is Bright Futures Care Limited. At the time of our inspection the service was accommodating two people.

The Cottage is a four-bedroom detached bungalow situated in a semi-rural location set within a shared court yard with a private garden. Each service user has their own bedroom with en-suite facilities and shared communal lounges and kitchen areas. Two of the bedrooms were used by staff that provide sleep in support.

At the time of the inspection there was a registered manager at The Cottage. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The registered manager was present during the day of our inspection and engaged positively in the inspection process, together with support workers on duty.

The home had a warm and friendly atmosphere and people using the service were observed to be comfortable and relaxed in their home environment and in the presence of support workers. Support workers were attentive to the needs of the people they cared for and demonstrated a good understanding of people’s diverse and complex needs, support requirements and preferences.

The provider had established a programme of induction, mandatory and service specific training for staff to access, to ensure people using the service were supported by competent staff. Additional systems of support such as supervision, appraisals and team meetings were also in place.

Robust recruitment policies and procedures were in place to ensure prospective employees were suitable to work with vulnerable people and all required documentation was in place. This confirmed the provider had all the required information to hand before employing and appointing staff.

People using the service had access to a range of person centred activities and a choice of

wholesome and nutritious meals. Records showed that people also had access to GPs and other health care professionals (subject to individual need) and medicines were managed safely.

The needs of people using the service and potential and actual risks had been assessed and planned for to ensure they received appropriate person centred care and support.

Policies and procedures relating to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards had been developed to provide guidance to staff on this protective legislation. Although none of the people living at The Cottage were subject to a DoLS at the time of our inspection, the registered manager and support workers understood their duty of care in respect of these safeguards.

Systems were in place to seek feedback on the quality of care provided, safeguard people from abuse and to respond to concerns and complaints.