Yew Tree Cottage is a small care home which caters for up to two people who have a learning disability or Autism. It is part of a larger organisation, City Care Partnership Ltd. It is located in a rural area on the outskirts of Sale. There was one person who used the service on the day of our inspection.

The service had a registered manager. 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 a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service used the local authority safeguarding procedures to report any safeguarding concerns. Staff had been trained in safeguarding topics and were aware of their responsibilities to report any possible abuse.

Recruitment procedures were robust and ensured new staff should be safe to work with vulnerable adults.

There were sufficient staff to meet the person’s needs.

The administration of medicines was safe. Staff had been trained in the administration of medicines and had up to date policies and procedures to follow.

The home was clean, tidy and contained no offensive odours. The environment was maintained at a good level and homely in character. There was good outside space for people to utilise in good weather.

There were systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. Staff were trained in infection control. This helped to protect the health and welfare of staff and people who used the service.

Electrical and gas appliances were serviced regularly. Each person had a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) and there was a business plan for any unforeseen emergencies.

The person who used the service was able to choose the meals they wanted daily. This person responded best to set plans although staff were flexible.

Most staff had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager was aware of her responsibilities of how to apply for any best interest decisions under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and followed the correct procedures using independent professionals.

New staff received induction training to provide them with the skills to care for people. Staff files and the training matrix showed staff had undertaken sufficient training to meet the needs of people and they were supervised regularly to check their competence. Supervision sessions also gave staff the opportunity to discuss their work and ask for any training they felt necessary.

We observed there were good interactions between staff and the person who used the service.

We saw from our observations of staff and records that the person who used the service was given choices in many aspects of their lives and helped to remain independent where possible.

We saw that the quality of care plans gave staff sufficient information to look after the person accommodated at the care home and reviewed when required. Plans of care contained people’s personal preferences so they could be treated as individuals.

There were many activities the person had access to help live a fulfilling life. The person chose what activities they wanted to do.

There was good communication between the person who used the service and their family.