The Field Lane Foundation is an organisation that provides supported living services and a domiciliary care service for people in their own homes or in support living schemes. People who used the service were living with a learning disability. On the day of our inspection the service was providing support for up to fifty eight people with varied care packages in a variety of settings.

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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager and the nominated individual were present for the duration of the inspection.

The service’s risk assessment process enabled people to take risks as safely as possible. The risk assessments identified risks and provided guidance for staff to manage these safely without compromising people’s independence.

Arrangements for the administration of medicines were in place which ensured that people received their medicines safely and in an appropriate way.

Staff recruitment processes were safe. Appropriate checks, such as a criminal record check, were carried out to help ensure only suitable staff worked in the service. Staff met with their line manager on a one to one basis to discuss their work. Staff said they felt supported and told us the registered manager had good management oversight of the service.

Staff received a good range of training specific to people’s needs. This allowed them to carry out their role in an effective and competent way.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities regarding safeguarding people from abuse and were able to tell us what they would do if they suspected abuse had taken place. They had access to a whistleblowing policy should they need to use it.

People’s privacy and dignity were respected. Staff were professional and polite and addressed people in an appropriate manner. Gender specific staff were provided for people who made a specific choice and people’s information was handled confidentially.

Staff supported people to keep healthy by encouraging them in their choice of nutritious foods. People were either supported or supervised in their menu planning and shopping.

People had access to health care professional and staff supported people to have regular health checks and to attend appointments and clinics as appropriate. When people lived with behaviour that challenged they had the support of clinical experts for advice and guidance.

People were encouraged to take part in a range of activities which were individualised and meaningful for them. People planned their day with help from staff and this was flexible depending on how people felt or other activities available.

Staff had followed legal requirements to make sure that any decisions made or restrictions to people were done in the person’s best interests. Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

There were sufficient numbers of staff provided to meet people’s needs and support their activities. People and staff interaction was relaxed. It was evident staff knew people well and understood people’s needs and aspirations. Staff were very caring to people and responded well to people’s care needs.

The registered manager and project managers undertook quality assurance audits to ensure the care provided was of a standard people should expect. Any areas identified as needing improvement were actioned by staff.

If an emergency occurred people’s care would not be interrupted as there were procedures in place to manage this.

A complaints procedure was available for any concerns. This was available in a format that was easy for people to understand. People and their relatives were encouraged to f