This unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on 30 April and 03 May 2018. The Vicarage is a newly registered service and had not been previously rated by the Care Quality Commission.

The Vicarage is a residential home located in Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port and provides care, support and accommodation for up to five adults with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. People living at the home are supported by staff on a 24 hour basis. At the time of our inspection there were four people living in the home; each person had their own bedroom and shared communal areas.

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

The care service 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.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our 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. The registered manager was also responsible for additional services, which meant they were not always located at The Vicarage. However there was a house manager who provided additional managerial support and overview of the service.

Detailed risk assessments had been carried out for each person which provided guidance for staff in managing identified risks.Risk assessments and associated support plans were reviewed and updated regularly.

Each person living in The Vicarage had a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) that provided guidance for staff on how to safely evacuate them in an emergency.

Medications were stored and administered safely and records relating to medicine administration were completed accurately. Staff had received appropriate training to safely administer medication.

Sufficient staff were deployed to meet the needs of people living in the home; each person received care on a one to one basis which meant there were four support staff available during each day shift.

Staff had received appropriate training in relation to behaviours that challenge and physical intervention.

Accidents and incidents were recorded appropriately and showed evidence of review and analysis from the registered manager.

Staff had received training in relation to safeguarding; staff showed a good understanding of what action to take in reporting any incidents of concern.

Systems and process were in place to check that the environment was safe for the people living there.

The service operated in accordance with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005; we saw evidence that Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard applications and reviews were completed where required.

Staff were supported in their role through regular supervision and performance review meetings.

Staff had received training in areas such as manual handling, food hygiene, infection control, autism awareness, first aid and management of actual and potential aggression.

People living in The Vicarage were provided with additional support from health and social care professionals such as GP, psychiatrists, dentist and opticians.

People were supported with their nutritional needs; support plans provided guidance for staff to ensure people maintained a healthy, balanced diet.

Care records were based on individual needs and were reviewed and updated regularly. Care files contained information speci