This inspection took place on 28 April 2017 and was announced.

Court Lodge Limited provides a supported living service to people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. The service is provided to people living at two locations in the local area. At the time of our inspection, the service was supporting five people.

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 found creative ways to meet people’s needs in a person-centred way. Where people could not inform staff of their preferences verbally, staff found ways to meet their needs in a way that involved them. People were involved in important decisions about their home.

People spoke fondly of the activities they had been supported to take part in. Staff knew people’s goals and aspirations and plans were in place to support people to achieve them. People’s needs were regularly reviewed and where changes were identified, staff took action.

The registered manager got along well with people and knew people very well. Staff felt supported by management and were involved in the running of the service. Regular staff meetings took place and staff received regular one to one supervision.

Staff understood their role in safeguarding people. They had received training and demonstrated a good understanding of how they would protect people from abuse or potential harm. Where incidents occurred, staff documented them. These were analysed to ensure people received care that was responsive to their needs.

Staff worked alongside healthcare professionals to ensure people’s needs were met. People’s medicines were managed safely and administered by trained staff. Staff received an induction and had been trained in how to support people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions.

People were supported by kind and caring staff that they got along well with. Staff were respectful of people’s privacy and dignity and promoted people’s independence. People’s feedback was regularly sought to ensure they were happy with the care that they received. Robust audits were carried out to ensure people received a good standard of care.

People’s nutritional needs were met. Staff understood people’s preferences and where people had specific dietary requirements, staff were aware of these.

Checks were undertaken to ensure that staff were suitable for their roles. Staff were deployed in a way that ensured people’s needs were met safely.