This inspection took place on 6 October 2016 and was unannounced.

The Gables is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 13 people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. People living at The Gables have their own flat which consists of a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. There are nine flats, some single, some double. There is a small communal kitchen/dining area and living room. At the time of our inspection 10 people were using the service.

The service is required to have a registered manager, and at the time of our inspection there was no registered manager in post. There was a manager and they had submitted their application to become the registered manager for the service. 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 provider had policies and procedures in place to guide staff in safeguarding adults, and staff we spoke with understood the different types of abuse that could occur and were able to explain what they would do if they had any concerns. We found that people’s needs were assessed and risk assessments were in place to reduce risks and prevent avoidable harm.

Medication was appropriately stored, administered and recorded on medication administration records. An issue on one medication record was addressed on the day of our inspection. Staff responsible for administration of medication had received training and the registered provider completed staff competency assessments. This showed that there were systems in place to ensure people received their medication safely.

The registered provider had a safe system for the recruitment of staff and was taking appropriate steps to ensure the suitability of workers. The registered provider had systems in place to ensure there were sufficient staff available to keep people safe and meet their needs. Staff completed a range of training and received supervision and appraisal to help them carry out their roles effectively.

The registered provider sought consent to provide care in line with legislation and guidance. Staff had completed Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) training and were able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the MCA. The registered provider ensured that any conditions on people’s Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations were adhered to.

People were supported to maintain good health and access healthcare services. We saw evidence in care files that people had accessed a range of healthcare services where required, such as GPs, occupational therapists, epilepsy nurses, cardiologists, dentists and the community mental health team. People received appropriate support with their nutrition and hydration and we received positive feedback about the quality and variety of food available. Staff supported people to prepare their own meals where they were able to.

People told us that the staff who supported them were caring. People also reported that they felt their privacy and dignity were respected. We saw positive and friendly interactions between staff and people who used the service. Staff promoted people’s independence wherever possible, and progress towards people’s goals in relation to the development of independent living skills, was monitored. Support was provided to enable people to maintain regular contact with family and friends and visitors were welcome at any time.

Care plans were reviewed regularly and contained information about people’s needs and preferences. Staff were also able to demonstrate a good understanding of people’s needs, in order to provide a personalised service.

There was a complaints procedure in place and people who used the service told us th

We spent time sitting talking to people before they went out for the day. They were happy to tell us about the care they received and the activities they were involved with. We observed a positive atmosphere, staff were friendly and engaged in meaningful conversation with people.

We looked at the care records of two people and saw they were up to date and the relevant risks had been assessed. People had personal support plans which provided detailed information for staff follow in how to meet the person's personal and social needs. We saw that people had been involved in developing these supoprt plans and were consulted about the care provided.

We saw and were told that staff were supported to gain the necessary skills for their role. We saw staff were trained in areas such as administering medication, safeguarding, moving and handling and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Out of the nine people living at The Gables we were only able to speak to two people. This is because the other people had gone out for the day.

The people we spoke with told us they were happy at The Gables and the care they received was good. They told us that the staff were nice and they felt safe.

The staff we spoke with told us that people who use the service received good care.