We carried out an announced inspection of Valentines Way on 18 October 2018. Valentines Way is a care home. 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 home is registered to provide support to a maximum of three people. At the time of the inspection there were three people using the service.

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.

This was the first inspection of the service since it was registered with CQC in December 2017.

The service does not need to have a registered manager in place as it is managed by an individual who is registered as the sole provider. 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 told us they felt safe. The provider had systems in place to ensure risks to people were assessed, reviewed and managed appropriately. Risk assessments of the premises were completed. There was regular maintenance and tests of the facilities and equipment. These included regular tests of fire alarms and emergency lights to ensure they were safe. Staff followed the provider’s control of infection procedures to minimise risk of spread of infections.

Medicines were received, stored, administered and audited safely to people. Staff had training and experience of administering medicines.

The provider reduced and managed incidents and accidents by monitoring and drawing lessons from them.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. The staff recruitment processes were robust ensuring that new staff were checked and were safe to support people.

There were arrangements to ensure staff received induction, ongoing training, support and supervision to undertake their roles effectively.

Staff had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and people's care plans showed mental capacity assessments had been completed and applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) were made to local authorities.

Care plans were person-centred describing people’s support needs such as their physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual support needs. Staff were aware of and able to support and meet people’s needs.

People’s nutritional needs were met. People could choose, prepare and enjoy meals that met their cultural and religious preferences and health needs.

People had opportunities to engage in activities provided within and outside the service.

Staff supported people to access healthcare services. They supported them to have medical checks and attend appointments.

People and relatives knew how to make a complaint. The provider recorded, investigated and responded to complaints. One complaint had been recorded, investigated and responded to since the service was registered.

The provider sought feedback from people and relatives to ensure their views were used to improve the service. Health and safety audits, and other aspects of the service such as staffing levels, training and care plans were regularly undertaken to ensure the service ran well. A business continuity plan was in place to enable the service to deal with unforeseen circumstances and continue to deliver a service.