The inspection took place on 17 June 2015 and was unannounced. We returned on 22 June 2015 to look at staff records and this was announced.
The service provides accommodation for up to four people. At the time of our inspection there were three people using the service. It is a specialist service for adults with learning difficulties and complex needs. It offers care and rehabilitation for people to support them to move into the community. The service has a communal kitchen, dining room and living room. Bedrooms are on two floors and are accessible by stairs.
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 legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Staff were trained in safeguarding (protecting people who use care services from abuse) and knew what to do if they were concerned about the welfare of any of the people who used the service. Where people were at risk, staff had the information they needed to help keep them safe.
People were supported by knowledgeable staff who had a good understanding of their needs. They received tailored and individual support that kept them safe, including where their behaviour became challenging.
People received their medicines in a timely manner. They were stored safely and people were supported, where possible, to look after their own. Staff understood people’s health care needs and referred them to health care professionals when necessary. They supported people attending health appointments in innovative ways to ensure that their experiences were as positive as possible.
Staff supported people in a confident manner and understood their needs. We saw people were relaxed in their company.
Staff told us they received regular training that helped them to understand the needs of people, which included their right to make decisions about their day to day lives. People were supported to make decisions about their lifestyle choices and were not restricted.
People’s dietary needs were met and they enjoyed grocery shopping and preparing and cooking food if they wished to.
People were supported by staff who had developed positive and professional working relationships with them. They were were supported to expand their life experiences in positive, valued and meaningful ways that met their cultural and religious needs and enhanced their wellbeing.
People had their needs assessed by the registered manager prior to moving into the service to ensure their needs could be met and that they would complement and fit in with those already receiving a service.
People were involved in the day to day running of the service, which included the recruitment of staff, social events and activities along with household chores. They were supported in innovative ways to make their views known about the service.
The registered manager and staff were committed to meeting the needs of people and improving their life experiences by supporting and encouraging their independence, their achievements and their life aspirations.
Staff were positive about the support they received from the registered manager. Regular meetings, supervision and appraisal provided them with an opportunity to develop and influence the service provided.
The provider had a robust quality assurance system which assessed the quality of the service. Information gathered as part of the quality audits was used to continually develop the service and look for ways in which people using the service could achieve greater independence.