Short Breaks Services - Link Work and Sitting

People using the service know it as 'Shared Lives' and this term is therefore used in the following report when referring to carers. This clarifies our statements for those reading the report who also use the service.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. 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.

Loxley House 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.

The service supported people who had varied and often very complex needs to live a safe and fulfilled life in a caring family home environment. Assessed risks to people were reduced or eliminated to support the safety of people using the service. People and carers were 'matched' to ensure they shared similar interests and people's needs could be supported in the carer's home.

There were audits and spot checks in place to make certain staff worked correctly and that people received the appropriate support at a good standard. People using the service and their relatives had various ways of sharing their views and this was encouraged.

People's support plans reflected their individual choices and goals. People were placed with a family that supported them to achieve these aims. Carers were supported to understand and meet the needs of the people they cared for. There was regular contact between the organisation and families providing support to people.

We found there were sufficient staff employed to meet people's needs, who had the appropriate training and support to deliver good quality care, which included training to meet people's health care needs.

People told us they felt safe when they were supported by staff and trusted them. All staff had regularly

completed training in safeguarding to enable them to recognise signs of abuse and know who to report such incidents.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and support was provided in the least restrictive way possible. Staff understood and followed the Mental Capacity Act 2005 guidance. Staff asked for people's consent before providing any support.

The service monitored people's care and support needs and looked at people's aims and ambitions to develop new skills and interests. Carers and people using the service knew how to make a complaint and had no concerns about doing so, carers said the service listened to them.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found