Lifeways Community Care (South Shields) provides personal care and support for a maximum of four people with learning and physical disabilities and associated complex health needs a large adapted house within the community. The premises have four large bedrooms, a communal lounge, sunroom, bathrooms, laundry and a kitchen which have all been designed to support and encourage the independence of the residents. At the time of the inspection there were four people living at the service.

At the last comprehensive inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good. We found no breaches of regulations and the service was meeting the legal requirements.

The premises were safe. Regular checks of the premises, equipment and utilities were carried out and documented. People’s care plans reflected their individual needs and risks were assessed. We found there were policies and procedures in place to help keep people safe. Staff were safely recruited and they were provided with all the necessary training required for their role.

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.

There was a complaints procedure in place at the service. Any complaints received were logged electronically on the provider’s system, action plans were created and lesson learned documented. We saw records of activities undertaken by the residents and relatives told us that people were supported to carry out their own choices for activities. There was training provided for staff in delivering end of life care and we saw evidence of this reflected in people’s care plans.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect. We saw kind and caring attitudes and relatives told us that the staff were very supportive. We observed people enjoyed positive relationships with staff and it was apparent they knew each other well. People and their relatives told us that staff knew what they liked and disliked.

There was a robust governance framework in place to continually monitor and improve the service. We saw evidence of involvement from the provider’s senior management team and documented audits carried out during their visits to the service. The manager was aware of their responsibilities and had a clear vision for the service in partnership with the provider’s organisational vision. The current manager was undergoing their registration with the Commission to become the registered manager, as the previous manager had left the service.

'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.'

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Some of the people who used the service had complex needs which meant they were unable to tell us their views. Because of this we used a number of different methods to help us understand their experiences.

One person we spoke with said he was happy living at the home and liked the staff. He told us that he helped out in the home by washing dishes and answering the door. Relatives we spoke to told us they were happy with the care provided at Lifeways. One relative told us “The staff have been very good”.

The service planned and delivered care and support so that people’s needs were met. Staff supported people in an engaging way and regular activities were arranged. A relative told us “If I didn’t think it was the place for him, I would move him”.

The service had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant checks when recruiting staff. The service also had an effective system in place to deal with comments and complaints.

The manager had systems in place to regularly check the quality of the care and people were consulted about the care they received.

People we spoke with told us "This is my home", "I love it here" and the "Staff are nice".

Each person had their own bedroom with an en suite. The people within the service were able to choose the decorations for their bedrooms.

We observed care staff talking to people appropriately and providing appropriate levels of encouragement to ensure they maintain their independence. During our inspection each person within the service went out with care staff for an activity within the community.

The inspection took place on 22 and 27 October 2015 and was announced, which meant the provider knew we were coming. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location was a small care home for adults who are often out during the day, so we needed to be sure someone would be in.

The last inspection of this home was carried out on 24 September 2013. The service met the regulations we inspected against at that time.

Lifeways Community Care (South Shields) provides care and support for up to four adults with learning and physical disabilities and associated complex health needs. At the time of this visit four people were using the service.

The home is a large four bedroom house in a residential area. People’s rooms were on the ground floor with one bathroom shared between two people. People had access to a communal lounge, kitchen and dining room. The first floor housed the registered manager’s office and a staff sleep-in room.

The registered manager has been in post since 2010. 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 people who lived at the home had complex needs that limited their communication. Relatives made positive comments about the service. They described the service as safe. Relatives felt involved in decisions about their family members’ care.

Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. The provider made sure only suitable staff were employed. Medicines were managed in a safe way, and records were up to date with no gaps or inaccuracies.

Staff were familiar with people’s individual needs and received relevant training to support each person in the right way. Staff received regular supervisions and appraisals.

People were supported to enjoy a healthy diet which met their individual dietary needs. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s likes and dislikes in relation to food, as well as activities and what clothes people liked to wear. People were encouraged and supported to make their own decisions where possible.

Care records were up to date and reviewed regularly. Each care plan was person centred and specific to the person’s needs as an individual. Staff were caring and supportive when talking with people. There were good relationships and communication between people, relatives and staff.

People had a range of activities they could take part in which were discussed with them weekly. People and their relatives had information about how to make a complaint, although none had been made recently.

Relatives and staff felt the home was well managed. There was a positive and open culture at the home.

Systems were in place to record and monitor accidents, incidents, complaints and safeguarding concerns which helped the provider monitor the quality of the service.