This inspection took place on the 28 and 29 August 2018 and was unannounced.

This was the first inspection of Aston House following the change of provider to Gemstone Properties Limited on 15 September 2017.

Aston House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The home is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 15 people who require support with their mental health care needs. At the time of the inspection there were 12 people living there.

The registered manager was present during the 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.

An effective quality assurance system enabled management to audit the care plans and other records, such as medicines and accidents and incidents, to identify trends and take action when needed. People said the staff were very good, they provided the support they wanted and they had been involved in discussions about how the service was developing.

Robust recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff were employed and there were sufficient staff working in the home to provide the care people needed. Staff had completed relevant training, including medicines, infection control and safeguarding. They demonstrated a good understanding of people’s needs, how to protect people from abuse and what action they would take if they had any concerns. Supervision and staff meetings kept staff up to date with current best practice and they had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Care plans were written and agreed with people and included risk assessments and clear guidance for staff to follow. Staff explained clearly how people were encouraged to be independent, make choices and plan the support they received with staff. People told us staff provided the care they needed and treated them with respect.

Staff had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and consistently asked if people needed support or assistance. The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. DoLS applications had been requested when required to ensure people were safe.

From August 2016 all organisations that provide NHS care or adult social care are legally required to follow the Accessible Information Standard. The standard aims to make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss are provided with information that they can easily read or understand so that they can communicate effectively. Staff were aware that people had different communication needs and were able to explain how they supported people to communicate.

People said the food was good, choices were offered and referrals were made to healthcare professionals if there were any concerns about a person’s diet. Staff supported people to keep in touch with relatives and friends and visitors said they were always made to feel very welcome.