This inspection took place on 02 and 03 March 2017 and was announced.

The Old Vicarage provides accommodation and personal care for up to 10 people with learning disabilities. At this inspection they were providing care and support for nine people.

A registered manager was in post and was present throughout this inspection. 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.

People were safe as staff had been trained and understood how to support people in a way that protected them from danger, harm and abuse. People had individual assessments of risk associated with their care. Staff knew what to do in order to minimise the potential for harm. People and staff knew what to do in an emergency in order to keep themselves safe.

People were supported by enough staff to safely meet their needs. People received help with their medicines from staff who were trained and assessed as competent to support them safely. The provider followed safe recruitment practices and completed checks on staff before they were allowed to start work.

Staff members had received training appropriate to those they supported and had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s individual needs. Additional training and support was provided when necessary to meet people’s changing needs.

Staff members were aware of current guidance and legislation that governed their practice. People were supported in a way that maintained their individual rights. People were involved in decisions about their care and were given information they needed in a way they understood. When people were not able to make decisions themselves staff members knew what to do to ensure any decisions made were in their best interests.

People had positive and caring relationships with the staff members who supported them. People’s personal histories, likes and dislikes were known by staff who assisted them in a way which was personal to them. People had their privacy and dignity respected by staff members.

People were supported to eat and drink sufficient amounts to maintain good health. People had access to healthcare when needed and staff responded to any changes in needs promptly and consistently.

Staff were supported by a management team who they found approachable and supportive. The provider undertook regular quality checks in order to drive improvements. People were involved in their home and felt their opinions mattered to the provider. Any suggestions people made were valued. The provider had systems in place to respond to the suggestions of others.