This inspection took place on 1 and 2 February 2018 and was announced. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

This service provides care and support to people living in three 'supported living' settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. People shared their homes with volunteer support workers called co-workers. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. There were 13 people being supported by this service at the time of the inspection.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support CQC policy and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion.

Not everyone using Willow End Office service received the regulated activity personal care. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

This was the first inspection of Willow End Office service provided by The Lantern Community.

People were safe. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities to safeguard people from the risk of harm and risks to people were assessed and monitored regularly.

Staff understood how to prevent and manage behaviours that the service may find challenging.

Staffing levels ensured that people's care and support needs were continued to be met safely and safe recruitment processes continued to be in place.

Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how to support people's best interest if they lacked capacity. However assessments were not recorded. We have made a recommendation about the recording of mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People's needs and choices continued to be assessed and their care provided in line with up to date guidance and best practice. They received care from staff that had received training and support to carry out their roles.

Risks continued to be assessed and recorded by staff to protect people. There were systems in place to monitor incidents and accidents. There were arrangements in place for the service to make sure that action was taken and lessons learned when things went wrong, to improve safety across the service.

Staff continued to support people to book and attend appointments with healthcare professionals, and supported them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The service worked with other organisations to ensure that people received coordinated and person-centred care and support.

Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines were suitable for the people who used the service.

Staff were caring and compassionate. People were treated with dignity and respect and staff ensured their privacy was maintained. People were encouraged to make decisions about how their care was provided.

Staff had a good understanding of people's needs and preferences.

People, relatives and staff were encouraged to provide feedback about the service and it was used to drive improvement.

Quality assurance audits were carried out to identify any shortfalls within the service and how the service could improve.