Bishop’s Way is registered to provide accommodation and nursing care for up to a maximum of 15 adults who may have learning disabilities or mental health related needs. On the day of our inspection there were 14 people living at the home. No-one living at the home required nursing care.

The accommodation is arranged mainly at ground floor level with a first floor flat which is used for assisting people towards semi-independent living. Another room had been converted to enable people to work towards independent living. All bedrooms were single and communal areas included a gym area, sensory room, pool table, dining room and communal lounge.

At the last inspection, the service was rated good.

At this inspection we found the service remained good.

Staff understood how to keep people safe through their knowledge of safeguarding procedures and people’s individual risk assessments. Medicines were managed well and people were assisted to take their medicines safely. Sufficient numbers of staff were deployed in order to provide safe care and support to people.

Staff received appropriate training to enable effective care and support to be provided. Ongoing supervision was evident. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Positive relationships between staff and people who lived at Bishop’s Way were evident. Staff were respectful and mindful of ensuring people’s privacy was respected. People were supported to make their own decisions.

Care plans were person centred and this enabled personalised care and support to be provided. Some people accessed education and training and community amenities were utilised. Appropriate referrals were made to health care professionals when this was appropriate.

Systems and processes for improving the safety and quality of the service were in place and effective. People and staff told us they felt the home was well-led. Staff were clear of their responsibilities.

Further information is in the detailed findings.

We inspected Bishop’s Way on 19 December 2014 and the visit was unannounced..

Bishop’s Way provides accommodation and nursing care for up to a maximum of 15 younger adults who may have learning disabilities or mental health problems. On the day of our visit there were 12 people using the service. The accommodation is arranged mainly at ground floor level with one first floor flat which is used for assisting people towards a semi-independent living situation. All bedrooms are single and communal areas include two lounges and a dining room. There is also a craft room, a sensory room and a small gym.

There is a registered manager who has been in post since the home registered in 2010. 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 who used the service who were able, or who chose to speak with us, said they liked the staff. People said the food was good. We saw people chose and, where possible, assisted in the preparation of their breakfast and midday meal on an individual basis. People were able to access the kitchen as they chose for drinks or snacks.

Staff knew people well and were able to tell us about the support they needed. Staff demonstrated this support in a respectful, kindly and patient manner. We found people’s support needs, abilities, lifestyle preferences and personal aims detailed within their care records. We also saw from care records and from speaking with staff that people’s health care needs were being met with the support and involvement of community and hospital based healthcare professionals . Systems were in place to make sure medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as they had been prescribed.

Staff had been recruited safely. Training had been followed to support staff in their roles, this included safeguarding training which meant staff knew how to keep people safe.

Staffing levels and deployment of staff was appropriate to meet the needs of the people who used the service.

People had individual programmes of activity arranged on a weekly basis. These included activities within and outside of the home. During our visit we saw people enjoying both group and individual activities with staff.

The service was well led and systems were in place to regularly monitor the quality and safety of service provision.

The environment in which people lived promoted their privacy and dignity and supported their rights to choose and retain a level of independence. Each person had an individual room with en suite facilities or a self-contained flat. Rooms were decorated in the way people wanted with their own personal effects. There was also a sensory room, activity room and gym. The manager said that one of the people who lived in the home had designed the gym and it was noted that his name was on the door as having done this.

We spoke to five people who use the service who said that they were given choices about how they spent their days. One person said '‘I can do what I want here. I have just been out to the shops and bought this. I go to see my family all the time’. My flat is the way I like it, I don’t like mess’'.

Each care plan had information on people’s needs and interventions in order to help them become independent. For instance one recorded that the person needed to develop budgeting skills and another that the person needed to develop problem solving skills on a day to day basis. The manager said that some people would move from the home to more independent living and that part of their role was to support people to do this.

All of the staff we spoke with during our visit were familiar with safeguarding procedures. When asked what constituted abuse staff were able to demonstrate their understanding and how to report an incident.

We looked at the training matrix for all staff and noted that not all staff were up to date with their training. The manager said she was aware of this and had plans to complete all mandatory training in the next three months.

We asked how the provider monitored the quality of care they delivered. We were told that the home carried out an annual survey which covered areas such as infection control, environment, quality assurance, policies and practices and education. There had been an overall score of 93% in February 20013 which demonstrated that the home had achieved a high quality standard and had improved on previous years.

Twelve people were living at the home and we spoke with four people individually.

People told us they were happy living at the home and were happy with the care they received. People said, "I really like it here, and they (staff) look after me." "It's a good place here." "I am happy, I like all the staff, and they are really nice."

People told us their views were taken into consideration when planning their care and staff respected their wishes. For example, the care documentation contained information such as, “What time I like to go to bed.” “How best to support me if I am anxious.”

Following a refurbishment and change in registration category the home re opened on the 19th September 2011, and on the day of our visit there were two people living there.

We spoke with one person and although they had complex needs and did not wish, or was not fully able to verbally communicate their views and experiences to us, they appeared relaxed and smiling as we asked about their time at the home.

People told us they liked living at the home and expressed their enjoyment of activities they take part in.

The records showed evidence of people's preferences and wishes were taken into account in their day to day care and the manager confirmed this.

During the visit we observed staff providing support to people in a sensitive and dignified way, and treat people with respect.

The NHS Kirklees Infection Prevention and Control team visited earlier in the year and carried out an audit; a score of 99% was achieved, ensuring they provide a clean and safe environment for people who use the service, visitors and staff.

The home also recently achieved ‘Scores on door’ 4 star rating, food hygiene award which is a national award, awarded by the council.