An Diadan House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. An Diadan House does not provide nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection. The service supports up to nine people adults with learning disabilities and/ or autism, all of whom had complex needs and behaviours which challenged the service. There were nine people using the service at the time of our inspection. Some people were able to communicate verbally although most communicated in other ways.

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.

At our last inspection in May 2016 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 ongoing 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.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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 were supported with dignity and respect by caring staff who understood their needs, including behaviours which challenged the service. People had ‘positive behaviour support guidance’ in place for staff to follow in helping them manage behaviours which challenged which were personalised for each person. Risks relating to people’s care were carefully managed by staff. Staff knew the best ways to communicate with people and people were supported to develop their independent living skills. People received care in clean, spacious premises which were well maintained and met their needs well.

People took part in activities based on their interests and had structured activity programmes in place. People were supported to maintain relationships with people who were important to them to reduce social isolation.

The provider carried out recruitment checks on staff. People and staff were involved in recruitment. After passing the interview stage candidates spent time at the service working with people and staff while the management team assessed how well suited they were to supporting the individuals at the service. People were supported by the right numbers of staff to keep them safe and to respond to their needs. Staff were well trained and supported in their role.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People chose their own meals and staff considered people’s cultural needs. Staff supported people to maintain their health and see the necessary healthcare professionals. People’s medicines were safely managed.

People and relatives were involved in care planning and staff followed people’s care plans to meet people’s needs. Care plans reflected people’s physical, mental, emotional and social needs, their personal history, preferences, interests and aspirations. The service had begun to engage people and relatives in end of life care planning as part of a programme run by the local hospice.

The service was well by a registered manager staff who understood their role and responsibilities well. Leadership was visible with a clear hierarchy.

The provider had good governance system

This inspection took place on 5 and 9 May 2016 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection of the service.

An Diadan House is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to six adults. At the time of our inspection there were three young adults living in the home. The service specialises in supporting people with learning disabilities.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and shares the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law with the provider.

People felt safe. There were procedures and risk assessments in place which staff implemented to reduce the risk of harm to people. Staff had been trained in safeguarding adults. They knew how to recognise the signs of abuse and how to report any concerns.

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Appropriate checks were carried out on staff and they received an induction before they began to work with people. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to care for people safely.

There was a sufficient number of staff on duty to care for people safely and effectively. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and were supported by the provider and management to provide effective care, through relevant training and supervision.

Staff were recruited through an appropriate recruitment process which was consistently applied. Thorough checks were conducted on staff before they were allowed to work with people. This helped to minimise the risk of people being cared for by staff who were unsuitable for the role.

There were procedures in place to ensure that people received their medicines safely which staff consistently followed. All areas of the home were clean and well maintained. People were protected against the risk and spread of infection.

People and their relatives were involved in their care planning. People were supported to express their views. Staff asked for people’s consent before providing care. Staff understood the main provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how it applied to people in their care.

There was a calm, relaxed atmosphere in the home. People were happy and at ease interacting with staff. Relatives were satisfied with the care their family members received and told us the staff were kind and caring. All areas of the home were clean and well-maintained.

Staff knew people well and how they preferred their care to be provided. Staff ensured people received a nutritious, balanced diet. People had enough to eat and drink.

There were a variety of activities for people to participate in at home and in the community. Visitors to the home were made to feel welcome by staff. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with their family and friends. This helped to ensure people did not become socially isolated.

People’s healthcare needs were met by suitably qualified staff who worked well as a team. Regular checks were carried out to maintain people’s health and well-being. People also had access to healthcare professionals.

The registered manager had worked in the adult social care sector for many years and knew what was required to provide good quality care. There were systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of care people received and these were consistently applied by staff.