This inspection took place on 9 August 2016 and was unannounced. At our previous inspection in December 2013, we found the provider was meeting the regulations we inspected.

Aeolian House is a care home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight adults with learning disabilities. The house includes a kitchen, lounge and dining room, bathrooms and toilets. Each person has their own bedroom and there is access to an enclosed garden. At the time of our inspection six people were using the service.

When we inspected, there was no registered manager at the service. A new manager had been appointed and was in the process of applying to register. 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.

People told us they felt safe and well cared for. Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns they had about the care and welfare of people to protect them from abuse.

People had personalised support plans that included expected outcomes and goals for them to achieve and how they wanted their needs to be met. People were encouraged to make their own decisions and remain independent as far as possible. Risk assessments identified risks associated with individual care needs and staff knew how to manage and minimise risks to people’s health and well-being.

People’s health needs were monitored and they had access to health care services when they needed them. Referrals were made to other professionals as necessary to help keep them safe and well. Medicines were managed safely and people had their medicines at the times they needed them.

People were supported to eat a healthy diet which took account of their preferences and nutritional needs. People chose what they wanted to eat and drink and were supported to buy, prepare and cook their meals.

The service worked in a way which recognised and maintained people's rights. The acting manager and staff understood the relevance of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and consent issues which related to the people in their care. They took appropriate action where a person may be deprived of their liberty.

People were frequently consulted about the care and support they received and knew how to raise any concerns. Arrangements were in place for dealing with complaints and responding to people’s comments and feedback.

People were supported to maintain their hobbies and interests at home and in their local community. They were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends who were important to them.

The provider followed an appropriate recruitment process which helped ensure that people were protected from unsuitable staff. Staff received a structured induction and essential training at the beginning of their employment. This was followed by ongoing refresher training to update and develop their knowledge and skills. Staff also undertook training specific to the needs of people they supported. Staff felt well supported in their roles and the standard and quality of their work was kept under review through ongoing performance appraisal.

People were supported by an established staff team who knew people well and were able to explain what mattered most to individuals. Staff treated people with kindness and respect and promoted their independence as far as possible. Individuals were encouraged to build and develop their independent living skills both in and outside the service.

The registered provider had values for the service, which were known and followed by the staff team. Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the home and were clear about their roles and responsibilities. People and staff told us they found the manager to be

People told us they were very happy living at Aeolian House. They told us the staff were “very good” and they were supported to do the things they wanted. We saw from people’s records that they were engaged in a wide range of activities that they had interest in. Some people also had part time work which they told us they enjoyed.

We saw the records of three people living at the home and spoke with people who had lived there for a number of years. People were very familiar with the contents of their care records which were individualised and up to date. The records contained clear guidance for staff regarding the best ways to provide support and care that met people’s needs.

Staff told us they felt well trained and supported to provide a good service for people. Their records evidenced an extensive training programme. Staff received regular supervision and annual appraisals which meant the provider had ensured they were well supported to provide care and support.

All the people we spoke with during our inspection appeared calm, relaxed and happy at Aeolian House. They told us that they always made choices about their care and the staff were nice.

We saw that people were relaxed around the staff member on duty. We saw that there were open and friendly conversations between people using the service and staff.

People who used the service told us that they felt safe and were well looked after by the staff at the service.