This inspection was announced and took place on the 22, 23 and 26 August 2016.

This was the first inspection of Woodleigh following a change of service provider in March 2015.

Woodleigh is a single-storey building that provides accommodation and personal care for up to 47 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. The location includes the provision of short term breaks (respite) care services for up to eight older people and eight adults with a learning disability. A supported tenancies service for up to 16 people is also coordinated from the premises.

The service is provided by Catalyst Choices Community Interest Company, a non-profit making organisation. The company has a board of directors, comprising of employed executives and independent non-executive directors.

At the time of our inspection the service was accommodating a total of 40 people in Woodleigh. A further 15 people were receiving support within the supported living service.

At the time of the inspection there was no registered manager in day-to-day charge of Woodleigh. 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 day-to-day management of operations at Woodleigh, the short term breaks and supported living service were being provided collectively by four area coordinators with support from senior management. This arrangement was to continue pending the appointment of a new manager.

We found that the provider had not notified the CQC of any incidents or suspicion of abuse in relation to people using the service. We have written to the provider regarding their failure to notify the CQC.

Woodleigh and the supported living service presented as warm and friendly environments in which to live. People using the service and / or their representatives told us that they were treated with dignity by staff and confirmed the diversity, values and human rights of people were respected. People confirmed that their personal care needs were also met and that their personal choices and preferences were respected.

Staff were observed to apply their knowledge and understanding of people’s personalities, preferences, needs and support requirements through positive and meaningful interactions. Staff were seen to be patient and gentle in their approach and warm personal interactions between staff and people using the service were noted. People spoken with showed a relaxed disposition and were at ease with their care staff.

The service had established a person centred approach to care planning. We saw evidence that people had undergone an assessment of their needs and that plans had been developed to ensure an appropriate response to identified needs and risks. This helped to safeguard the health and wellbeing of people using the service.

People had access to a range of one to one and group activities that were facilitated by an activity coordinator or staff within the service.

People had access to health care professionals and medication was ordered, stored, administered and disposed of safely by trained staff that had undergone an assessment of their competency periodically.

People had access to a choice of menu which offered a varied, balanced and wholesome diet.

Staff recruitment systems were in place and information about prospective employees had been obtained to make sure staff did not pose a risk to people using the service.

The provider had developed policies relating to the MCA (Mental Capacity Act (2005) and DoLS (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards). The management team and staff understood their duty of care in relation to this protective legislation and rights of people living in the home.

Audits had been established to monitor service operations and syst