The inspection took place on 6 October 2016 and was unannounced.

Hartington road care home is a care home registered to provide accommodation for up to eight people who have a learning disability. Accommodation was over two floors. There were six single occupancy rooms and one shared room, two communal lounges and two kitchens. At the time of inspection there were eight people using the service.

The service had a registered manager. 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 were protected from the risk of harm because staff knew how to recognise abuse and how to report it. Risk was assessed and management plans were put in place where risk was identified. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people's needs. Staff were supported and trained. Recruitment procedures were robust so that people with the right skills and character were employed.

People's medicines were managed in a safe way.

There was an on-going staff training programme so that staff knew how to meet people's needs and keep them safe. The provider agreed to access more sector specific links to ensure that staff were following current best practice guidelines.

People had their needs assessed and care plans were developed for each identified need. The care plan format had recently changed so that care plans were more focused on the person and their individual needs and preferences.

People were asked for their consent before care and support interventions were carried out. Staff were working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and had applied to the relevant authorities where people had their liberty deprived in order to keep them safe.

People were supported to choose their own meals and to have a balanced diet. Food and fluid intakes were monitored where this was required. Appropriate referrals were made to healthcare professionals such as doctors and community nurses.

People were treated with kindness and respect. Staff knew about people's likes and dislikes and the things that were important to them. People had their privacy and dignity respected.

People received care and support in the way they preferred. People were asked for their feedback and knew who to make a complaint.

The service was well managed and promoted an open positive culture. The provider's vision and set of values were understood and adopted by staff. Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service and this included seeking feedback from people and their families.