Ashlong Cottage is a care home which provides personal care and accommodation for up to six adults who have learning disabilities and physical disabilities. At the time of our inspection the home was fully occupied.

At the last Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in November 2014, the overall rating for this service was Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good. The service demonstrated they continued to meet the regulations and fundamental standards.

People were safe living at Ashlong Cottage. Staff knew how to keep people safe from harm. The provider ensured there were sufficient pre-employment checks so as far as possible, only suitable staff were employed. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs.

We saw staff received sufficient training and support in order to undertake their roles and responsibilities. We saw staff were knowledgeable about the needs of people and provided personalised support in line with people’s needs and wishes.

Relatives told us staff were kind and caring. We saw care was provided in a sensitive manner that took account of people’s privacy and dignity. Staff communicated with people using a range of methods and always sought consent from people prior to providing care.

People’s health needs were met. This included access to appropriate healthcare professionals, receiving their medicines as prescribed and nutritional needs being met.

The service had identified risks to people and how these risks could be minimised. Accidents and incidents were recorded and analysed in order to reduce re-occurrences.

People told us the registered manager was approachable and they could raise issues or concerns and felt they would be listened to. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities and knew when they had to inform CQC of significant issues.

The provider had established good governance systems to regularly assess, monitor, and where required, improve the quality and safety of the service people received. The provider sought the views of people who used the service and their relatives, through informal and formal mechanisms.

This unannounced inspection took place on 12 November 2014. At our last inspection of the home the provider was meeting the regulations we looked at.

Ashlong Cottage is a care home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with learning disabilities. People living at the home also have care needs in relation to a physical disability. At the time of our visit there were five people living at Ashlong Cottage.

The service did not have a registered manager in post at the time of the inspection. They had left in May 2014. 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 using the service told us they felt safe living at the home. Staff were knowledgeable in recognising signs of potential abuse and followed the required reporting procedures. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed when we visited. We saw risks to people were identified and plans put in place to address these. Staff were visible in all parts of the premises to provide support to people. Relatives we spoke with were happy with the care provided.

People’s needs were assessed and their preferences identified as much as possible across all aspects of their care. Risks were identified and plans were in place to monitor and reduce risks. People were involved in writing their own plans and reviewing them so they were getting the care they wanted and information about them was always kept up to date. People had access to relevant health professionals when needed. People were supported to eat and drink sufficiently to meet their needs.

Staff received regular training and support. They were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities in caring for people living at Ashlong Cottage. The provider had made sure staff had sufficient skills and experience to do their job effectively.

People were encouraged to be as independent as possible. There was a range of activities for some people to participate in, if they wanted to. However this was not consistently offered to everyone living in the home. The result of this was some people had a variety of activities, whilst others were restricted on what was available to them.

Staff told us the manager was approachable and listened to their views and acted on them. People who used the service told us the manager was not visible in the service and tended to stay in the office. Both of the relatives we spoke with were unaware a new manager had been appointed to the service. However, people told us if they had to make a complaint then they would ask to speak to care staff.

At our last inspection we were concerned that care was not planned and delivered to ensure people's welfare and general well-being. During this inspection we found that care was planned and delivered to ensure people's welfare and general well-being. People were involved in more activities throughout the week both inside and outside the home, including assisting with meal preparation and attending day centres.

We spoke with people using the service. One person told us, "I've been asked if I want to go out more." Another person told us, "There has been an improvement in the amount of activities we are offered and I am happier now but there is still room for improvement."

Before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes.

We found that people's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned to promote people's health and safety.

However, we were concerned that care was not planned and delivered to ensure people's welfare and general well-being. One person told us, “I like it here but they hardly ever take me out. I would like to go and live somewhere else because of that, but I'm worried I won't be treated well somewhere else. I have nobody to talk to. I just stay in my room most days." A relative told us, "on the whole I think the care is good but they don't have enough activities. X is very bored and frustrated."

People living in the home were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. We found that people were cared for or supported by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff because there were effective recruitment procedures.

People were protected from the risks of unsafe care and treatment because accurate and appropriate records were maintained. We looked at several people's care files, staff files and files relevant to the management and maintenance of the home. We found the files we looked at were comprehensive, well organised, accurate and fit for purpose. The files were stored securely and were readily located.

During the inspection we talked with two people using the service and five members of staff to get their views about the service.

We observed that people appeared well cared for. Their support plans addressed their personal care in detail and the extent to which people were independent with meeting these needs. One person said “my key worker is very good and ensures I am well looked after”. Another said, “staff encourage me to do as much as possible for myself”.

People’s individual social and recreational needs were appropriately met. A programme of weekly activities was in place for each person. One person was able to tell about all the activities they were engaged in and showed us a copy of their programme. The support plans also contained information about how to support people in meeting their cultural and spiritual needs.

People’s care records contained risk assessments to ensure their safety while promoting their independence and rights. Where people had behaviours that challenged the service, appropriate risk assessments and guidelines were in place so staff knew how to support people.

Appropriately skilled and experienced staff worked in the home in adequate numbers to care for and support people. They were supported by the provider to make sure they could do their job appropriately.

The provider had effective systems in place to monitor and assess the quality of the service to ensure people received safe and appropriate care.

The people who use this service told us that they like to be called residents.

Overall, we have found that Ashlong House meets the essential standards but to maintain this we have suggested that some improvements are made. Please see main report for this information.