The inspection visit at Windermere was undertaken on 07 September 2016 and was announced. 48 hours’ notice of the inspection was given to ensure people who accessed the service, staff and visitors were available to talk with us.

Windermere provides personal care assistance for young people who live at the service. Windermere is a property in a residential area of Southport. There are communal areas as well as three bedrooms. Additionally, there is a separate laundry and a kitchen area for people to make snacks or drinks during the night. At the time of our inspection, there were three individuals who accessed the service.

A registered manager was not in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 previous registered manager left six months ago and the provider had attempted to recruit a new manager.

At the last inspection on 29 October 2013, we found the provider was meeting all the requirements of the regulations inspected.

During this inspection, one person told us they felt safe. The manager had systems to assess, monitor and alleviate potential risks to people who accessed Windermere. Staff received safeguarding training and demonstrated a good awareness of related processes.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet the needs of people who accessed the service. Training and supervision was available for staff to enhance their expertise. We observed good practice at Windermere in the safe recruitment of staff to protect people against the employment of unsuitable personnel.

The provider had suitable arrangements to safeguard people from the unsafe management of medication, such as audits of related processes. Staff received medicines training before they were permitted to provide this support.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. They received relevant training and we observed they supported people to make their important decisions. One person told us, “I’m in control of my life as much as I can be.” We found recorded evidence of people’s decision-specific and overall consent to care was documented in their care files.

The management team had assessed people’s needs and updated their care records to guide staff to be responsive to their requirements. Individuals who accessed Windermere told us they were fully involved in their care planning. They said staff respected them as individuals and we found strong equality and diversity working practices were in place. We observed staff were caring and respectful when they engaged with people.

Staff documented in each person’s records meal plans for the week, along with suggested alternatives. This showed staff encouraged choice and helped people to plan a healthy diet.

We received positive feedback about Windermere and that it was well organised and had good leadership. We found the manager had a range of audits to check the quality of the service and people’s safety. Those who accessed the service had a variety of opportunities to comment on their care. Although we saw evidence the provider had tried to recruit a suitable candidate, there was no registered manager in place.

As part of our inspection we spent time with people and invited them to share with us their views and experience of living at Windermere. Whilst they did not wish to speak with us we observed staff interaction with them and saw staff were polite, courteous and supportive in the decisions they made during the day.

Care records informed us each person had an assessment of their needs. Individualised support plans, risk assessments and risk management plans had been developed for each person and they were reviewed on a three monthly basis.

We spoke with the Registered Manager and one of the support workers employed at the home.

Effective arrangements were in place for monitoring the safety and suitability of the building and equipment within the home.