This inspection was carried out on the 17 April 2018. This was an unannounced inspection, which meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting.

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

Church Green Lodge is a care home providing short respite accommodation, personal care and support for people who have a learning disability, sensory impairment or mental health conditions. The care home is a ground floor building and is registered to provide care for up to six people. Nobody resides at the care home on a permanent basis. There were six people staying at the home at the time of our inspection.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

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.

We last inspected the service in August 2015 and rated the service as 'Good' in all areas and 'Good' overall. At this inspection we found the service remains 'Good' overall, although the rating for the key question of 'is this service effective?' has changed to 'Requires Improvement.' Improvements were required to ensure people’s capacity was assessed, best interest decisions were recorded and consents were obtained in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).

We observed people receiving care that was personalised to their individual needs. However care plans did not always reflect people’s needs, preferences and ambitions. The registered manager had identified the need to improve the personalisation of care planning within the service. The registered manager was in the process of updating the care plans and the target for completion was December 2018. This process had been started before our visit and we were able to sample what the care plans would look like once completed. These were more personalised to peoples needs.

Staff understood their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse and knew how to report any concerns they had.

Care records contained guidance and information to staff on how to support people safely and mitigate risks. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed monthly. Where someone was identified as being at risk, actions were identified on how to reduce the risk and referrals were made to health professionals as required. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff to meet their needs. Robust recruitment procedures were followed to ensure only suitable staff were employed.

People’s needs had been assessed before they moved into the home to ensure staff could provide the support they required. Staff received training considered as mandatory by the provider. All staff attended an induction when they started work and had access to ongoing training. Specific training was provided if people developed needs that required it. The provider supported staff to achieve further qualifications relevant to their roles.

People lived in an environment that was homely and adapted for their needs. The service was clean and hygienic and people had access to communal areas, a garden and their own bedrooms which were individualised. People had been encouraged to choose the décor. Equipment and adaptations were in place to

This inspection took place on 11 August 2015. The inspection was announced.

Church Green Lodge provides respite care for a maximum of six people with a learning disability.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

Staff knew the importance of recognising, responding to and reporting anything which might indicate a person had been abused or harmed in some way. Staff were properly recruited to ensure that they were safe to work in care and there were enough of them to meet people’s needs properly. People’s medicines were managed and administered safely.

Staff were competent and had a good understanding of people’s likes, dislikes and how they communicated. Staff ensured they sought advice if people became unwell during their stay and they understood the importance of supporting people to have enough to eat and drink. They offered people choices and were aware of how to support those who may find it difficult to make informed decisions about their care.

Staff ensured that people’s privacy and dignity was respected and they responded with warmth and kindness to people’s requests for assistance. People were consulted about their care, with assistance from their family. They were supported and encouraged to follow their interests and preferred activities. There was a sociable and cheerful atmosphere within the home.

With support from their relatives where it was needed, people could raise complaints or concerns about the quality of care they received and have these addressed. Relatives were confident that concerns would be dealt with.

The management team encouraged people or their relatives to express their views about the standard and quality of the service so that improvements were identified and made where possible. Staff morale was good and they were clear about their roles and responsibilities.