Caritas Care Limited - 218 Tulketh Road

Some people lived in their own homes with family, whilst others lived in supported living houses with other people, who also used the service. The service supports people of all ages whose needs range from mild, moderate or complex learning disabilities and associated medical conditions. The agency is situated in Ashton on the outskirts of Preston city centre.

We have made a recommendation about including more personalised details within the risk assessments and plans of care.

We noted a few areas where the recording of medicines could have been improved. The registered manager was receptive to our discussion around this area and confirmed this would be addressed without delay.

We have made a recommendation about the clearer recording of medicines.

Systems had been implemented, which helped to protect people from the risk of abuse and relevant policies and procedures were in place. People who used the service told us they felt safe and relatives we spoke with felt their loved ones' health and safety were protected. Staff we spoke with were fully aware of people's needs and how best to support them.

The provider had a staff training programme in place and competence assessments had been conducted to ensure the staff team were able to deliver the care and support required by those who used the service. Recruitment practices adopted by the service were robust and these therefore helped to ensure the staff team were fit to work with vulnerable people. People told us the staff team were consistent and records we saw confirmed this to be accurate.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

A range of community professionals were involved in the health and social care of those who used the service and feedback from those we contacted was positive. Systems were in place within a management framework for the assessing and monitoring of the service provided, which helped to ensure good standards were maintained. There were clear lines of accountability within the service. People who used the service and their relatives told us they were in regular contact with the management team and were able to voice their concerns, if needed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.

Right support: People were supported to make choices, take control and maintain independence. Right care: Care was person-centred and promoted people's dignity, privacy and human rights. Right culture: The ethos, visions, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured people who used the service lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.