Worting Road (The Whispers)

There was a registered manager in post. 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 care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The service was last inspected in August 2016. At that inspection, we found a breach Regulation 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. This was because the provider had not ensured that mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were recorded when people were unable to make decisions about managing their finances and medicines. At this inspection we found the required improvements had been made to meet the requirements of the regulation.

At the inspection carried out in August 2016 we rated the service as good overall. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People were protected from the risk of abuse by staff who had the knowledge and skills to identify safeguarding concerns and act on them. Risks to people's health and well-being had been assessed and plans were in place to minimise the risks. Regular checks were made regarding the safety of the premises and the provider had plans in place to manage foreseeable emergencies. Medicines were managed and administered safely.

People benefitted from receiving support from a staff team who were well supported and had been trained in the skills necessary to fulfil their role. Staff monitored people's physical and emotional wellbeing and

ensured support was in place to meet their individual needs. When necessary, staff contacted health and social care professionals for guidance and support. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. People's nutrition and hydration was monitored and staff supported them to have a varied diet.

Staff interacted with people in a kind and caring manner. They involved people in choices around their daily living. People's independence was promoted and people were encouraged to be involved in the service. People were relaxed and comfortable in the company of staff, they did not hesitate to seek support and assistance when required. People were respected and their privacy and dignity were maintained. People were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends and relatives told us they were made welcome whenever they visited.

People's support plans were person centred and contained detailed information specific to each individual, including people's likes, dislikes, cultural and spiritual preferences. People had opportunities to take part in activities of their choice and follow their hobbies and interests. The provider made people and their relatives aware of how a complaint may be raised.

The registered manager had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided. People, their relatives and staff had opportunities to feedback their views on the quality of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

The five questions we ask about services and what we found