Clarendon Gardens is a residential care home for six people who have mental health needs. There were six people including one person receiving respite care using the service at the time of the inspection. Public transport and a range of shops are within walking distance of the home.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good

People told us that they felt safe living in the home. There were procedures for safeguarding people. Staff understood how to respond to complaints and possible abuse. They knew how to raise any concerns about people's safety so people were protected.

Arrangements were in place to make sure people received the service they required from sufficient numbers of appropriately recruited and suitably trained staff. Staff received the support they needed to carry out their roles and responsibilities in providing people with the care and support that they needed.

Staff demonstrated a caring attitude towards people who used the service and ensured their dignity and privacy was maintained. People were involved in planning their care, which was responsive and met their individual needs and preferences.

People's medicines were managed safely. People's dietary needs and preferences were supported, and they were encouraged to choose what they wanted to eat and drink.

Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 [MCA]. 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.

Checks were carried out to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service.

This unannounced inspection of Clarendon Gardens took place on the 21 and 22 April 2015. Clarendon Gardens is a care home registered to provide personal care and accommodation for five people who have mental health needs. On the day of our visit there were four people living in the home. Public transport and a range of shops are located within a short walking distance of the service.

The service was registered with us in November 2013. In April 2014 the first person was admitted into the home. This was the first inspection of the service.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

Throughout our visit staff interacted with people in a friendly and courteous manner. People told us they were content living in the home. A person using the service said they felt the service was better than where they had previously been living.

Staff received a range of relevant training and most staff had qualifications related to their work. Staff understood people’s needs and worked as a team to provide people with the support and care they sought and needed. Staff were enthusiastic about working in the home, were knowledgeable about each person’s needs and were keen to promote people’s well-being.

The staffing of the service was organised to make sure people received the care and support they required. People using the service spoke highly about the staff and said they were approachable, kind and listened to them.

People were involved in a range of decisions about their care and support, and their independence was promoted and respected. People told us staff respected their privacy and they received the support they needed to maintain good health. People’s health was monitored and they received the advice and treatment they required from a range of health professionals. People told us they also felt well supported by care co-ordinators who visited them regularly.

People were encouraged to participate in a range of activities of their choice, and to take part in the local and wider community. People’s individual leisure interests and preferences were respected and supported. When people wanted to maintain contact with family, friends and others important to them this was encouraged and supported by staff.

People told us they generally enjoyed the meals, and could have an alternative if they wished. Meals and other refreshments met their preferences and dietary needs. Referrals were made to a dietitian when needed.

People told us they felt safe. Staff understood how to safeguard the people they supported. People’s individual needs and risks were assessed and identified as part of their plan of care and support. People’s support plans were personalised and contained the information and guidance staff needed to provide each person with the care they needed and wanted.

Staff knew about the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). They had an understanding of the systems in place to protect people who were unable to make particular decisions about their care, treatment and other aspects of their lives. Staff knew a restriction on people’s freedom needed to be lawfully authorised.

There were effective systems in place to monitor the care and welfare of people and improve the quality of the service.