We inspected Herondale on the 6 November 2018.

Herondale is a residential care home for up to eight people who may have mental health difficulties. At the time of our inspection seven people were using the service. The service had spacious living areas and was set over two floors. The service was set in a residential area with easy access to the local community and had a large garden. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

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.

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.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy

The service was safe. Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. There were systems in place to minimise the risk of infection and to learn lessons from accidents and incidents. People were cared for safely by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. People’s needs were met by sufficient numbers of staff. Medication was dispensed by staff who had received training to do so.

The service was effective. People were cared for and supported by staff who had received training to support people to meet their needs. The registered manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. People were supported to eat and drink enough as to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to other health professionals were made when required. The environment was well maintained and suitable for the needs of people.

The service was caring. Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences of care. Staff always worked hard to promote people’s independence through encouraging and supporting people to make informed choices.

The service was responsive. People and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The registered manager responded to complaints received in a timely manner.

The service was well-led. The service had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis.

This inspection took place on 9th February 2016 and was unannounced. The last inspection of this service took place on 13th August 2013 and at that time was meeting all the required standards inspected.

Herondale is a care home that provides care and accommodation for up to eight people with support needs related to their mental health. At the time of our inspection there were seven people living there.

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.

People were safe because the management team and staff understood their responsibilities in terms of managing risk and identifying abuse or poor practice. Accurate and up to date records were kept about the care and support people received and about the day to day running of the service which provided staff with the information they needed to provide safe and consistent care and support. Potential risks had been identified with steps recorded of how the risk could be reduced. This meant that people received safe care that met their needs, protected them from harm whilst promoting their freedom and rights to exercise choice and control

Whilst staffing levels had impacted on the quality of the service people had historically received there was nonetheless sufficient staff in post who had been recruited safely and who had the skills and knowledge to provide care and support in ways that people preferred.

The provider had systems in place to manage medicines and people were supported to take their prescribed medicines safely.

The physical & mental health needs of people were managed effectively with input from relevant health care professionals as necessary.

People had access to the food & drink that they enjoyed which matched their preferences and were able to access food and drink independently when they chose with support available if required.

Staff respected people’s privacy, choices and preferences and treated people with kindness and respect.

People were encouraged to be independent and take part in hobbies and interests they enjoyed.

The service supported people to maintain relationships with friends and family and links with their community so that they were not socially isolated.

There was an open culture and the provider encouraged and supported staff to provide care that was centred on the individual.

There were systems in place to monitor and review accidents and incidents to safeguard people’s wellbeing. The provider had systems in place to check the quality of the service and take the views and concerns of people and their relatives into account to make improvements to the service.

We found the atmosphere at the service to be relaxed and homely.

We saw that people were asked for their consent before receiving care. Care records contained detailed person centred information and staff interactions with people were positive.

People told us that they felt safe. We saw that people were referred where appropriate to healthcare professionals and any actions required were completed.

People were aware of the complaints system and knew how to complain. The provider had systems in place to maintain and improve the quality of service provided.

Comments about the service included, "If you want to go out shopping the staff take you," that staff were, "Very good" and, "Staff are lovely."

We spoke to two people who lived in this home, and the three members of staff that were on duty including the registered manager.

People who lived in the home were very happy here. They told us how well looked after they were. They told us many things which included:

''I have lived in number of places but I have been here for the last six years and I am very happy. The staff go out of their way to help me, they arrange my trips with me, they helped me when I was giving up smoking, and to decorate my room, I don't ever want to move from here''

Another person said that staff always do things with her such as helping her cook, using the computer. She said she is very happy living at Herondale.

One of the aims of this home is to promote the independence of people who live here.This was evident in during our observation and the documentation that was reviewed throughout the inspection.

Carers had an in-depth understanding of the needs of the people who lived in this home. Therefore were able to judge the support required in order that their independence was maintained. The staff team working skills were evident throughout this inspection and this in turn supports the delivery of care for the people living in this home.