Dinorwic Road is a care home for up to three vulnerable adults who require residential support. The home is situated in a residential area of Southport, close to local amenities. The home has three separate bedrooms, two bathrooms, living area, dining area, kitchen area and communal grounds.

At the last inspection, in January 2015 the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

The was no registered manager in post at the time of the inspection however an application had been submitted by the interim manager who was awaiting approval from the Care Quality Commission.

The interim manager had processes in place to ensure the safety and well-being of those living at the home was paramount. Our observations and discussions with staff and relatives confirmed that the staffing levels were sufficient for the support which needed to be provided.

The home operated within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We were provided with information in relation to capacity assessments and processes which needed to be in place to make decisions in a person’s best interest.

Medication was administered safely by staff who had been appropriately trained. We were provided with evidence of competency assessments which had been carried out on staff. Medication records were accurate and systems were in place to order repeat medication, dispose of medication and record any medication discrepancies. An audit of the administration of medicines was completed each month.

All care files contained individual care plans and risk assessments which were regularly reviewed and updated in order to minimise risk. Care plans were person centred and contained relevant information in relation to a person’s wishes, choices and preferences.

Risk assessments and behavioural management plans were in place for people who presented with complex behaviours. The assessments offered key information to staff about how to manage any challenging situations for the safety of everyone who lived in the home.

Staff told us they felt supported in their roles. Staff had completed the necessary training to help them fulfil their roles and expressed how the home was safe and caring.

We observed staff supporting people with the preparation of food as well being responsive to specific activity requests for people living at the service. One staff member said, “It's all about choice, there is lots of choice, if they wish to go out, we take them out.”

A complaints process was available at the home but we were informed by relatives that any complaints or concerns could be discussed openly with the staff and managers. Relatives told us their loved ones were living in a safe and caring environment.

The service regularly held ‘Your Voice’ meetings with the people living at the home. This meant that the people’s ideas, suggestions and choices were being listened and responded to.

There was a variety of different audit tools and methods used to monitor and assess the quality of the home. These included internal and external audits as well as staff meetings, ‘Your Voice’ meetings and regulatory compliance checks.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

During our inspection we used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people who lived at 49 Dinorwic Road. This was because the people who used the service communicated in different ways and we were not always able to directly ask them their views about their experiences. We spent time with the three people who lived at the home; a person confirmed they were happy there.

Positive communication was evident between the staff and the people they supported. There was plenty going on during the day and people appeared comfortable and relaxed with the staff. There was plenty of laughter and chatter. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people's individual needs and how they wish to be treated and supported. We saw this when the staff assisted people with personal care and daily life skills and tasks.

At the time of our inspection we found the home to be clean. Systems were in place to monitor infection control and staff had access to protective equipment, such as gloves and aprons to ensure good standards of hygiene.

The home was subject to an on-going programme of decoration and maintenance to enable people to live in safe pleasant accommodation.

Sufficient numbers of skilled and experienced staff were available to provide support to people in accordance with their individual need.

Systems were in place to ensure the home was managed effectively and safely. People who lived at the home were involved in how it operated.

Dinorwic Road is a care home for up to three vulnerable adults who require residential support. The home is situated in a residential area of Southport, close to local amenities. The home has three separate bedrooms, two bathrooms, living area, dining area, kitchen area and communal grounds.

At the last inspection, in January 2015 the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

The was no registered manager in post at the time of the inspection however an application had been submitted by the interim manager who was awaiting approval from the Care Quality Commission.

The interim manager had processes in place to ensure the safety and well-being of those living at the home was paramount. Our observations and discussions with staff and relatives confirmed that the staffing levels were sufficient for the support which needed to be provided.

The home operated within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We were provided with information in relation to capacity assessments and processes which needed to be in place to make decisions in a person’s best interest.

Medication was administered safely by staff who had been appropriately trained. We were provided with evidence of competency assessments which had been carried out on staff. Medication records were accurate and systems were in place to order repeat medication, dispose of medication and record any medication discrepancies. An audit of the administration of medicines was completed each month.

All care files contained individual care plans and risk assessments which were regularly reviewed and updated in order to minimise risk. Care plans were person centred and contained relevant information in relation to a person’s wishes, choices and preferences.

Risk assessments and behavioural management plans were in place for people who presented with complex behaviours. The assessments offered key information to staff about how to manage any challenging situations for the safety of everyone who lived in the home.

Staff told us they felt supported in their roles. Staff had completed the necessary training to help them fulfil their roles and expressed how the home was safe and caring.

We observed staff supporting people with the preparation of food as well being responsive to specific activity requests for people living at the service. One staff member said, “It's all about choice, there is lots of choice, if they wish to go out, we take them out.”

A complaints process was available at the home but we were informed by relatives that any complaints or concerns could be discussed openly with the staff and managers. Relatives told us their loved ones were living in a safe and caring environment.

The service regularly held ‘Your Voice’ meetings with the people living at the home. This meant that the people’s ideas, suggestions and choices were being listened and responded to.

There was a variety of different audit tools and methods used to monitor and assess the quality of the home. These included internal and external audits as well as staff meetings, ‘Your Voice’ meetings and regulatory compliance checks.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.