Love Walk provides accommodation and personal care for up to 31 people with a range of physical disabilities. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. At the time of the inspection, 26 people were living at the service and one person was in hospital.

People's accommodation is arranged over two floors and all bedrooms have en-suite facilities. People had access to communal areas and a well-maintained garden. The building was accessible by wheelchair and has a passenger lift that enabled people to access all parts of the accommodation.

At the last inspection on 10 September 2015, the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection, we found the service remained overall ‘Good’ with a rating of Outstanding in Responsive.

People benefitted immensely from taking part in a wide range of activities provided at the service. People using the service, their relatives and health and social care professionals spoke highly about the impact on people’s lives because of the stimulating activities and enabling environment provided at the home. They were consistent in their commendation about how people’s lives had vastly improved as a result of the support provided. In addition, this had enabled some people to move on to supported or independent living.

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. People consented to care and treatment. Staff understood and respected people’s rights in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People were safe at the service. People were protected from abuse because staff were trained and able to identify and report safeguarding concerns about people’s health and well-being.

Appropriate risk assessments and management plans were in place to ensure people’s needs were met safely and without unlawfully restricting their independence and freedom.

People received their medicines safely when needed and in line with the support they required. Staff managed and administered people’s medicines appropriately by following the provider’s procedures.

The provider deployed a sufficient number of suitably skilled staff to meet people’s needs. New staff underwent appropriate recruitment procedures to ensure their suitability to deliver care.

People had an assessment of their needs before they started using the service. Support plans were reviewed regularly to ensure staff provided people with the care they needed.

People were treated as individuals and had their diversity and cultural differences respected. Staff knew people well and delivered care with kindness and compassion. Care plans were individualised and reflected the support each person required. Staff followed the guidance to deliver care in line with people’s support plans.

People were encouraged to develop daily living skills and to be independent when possible. Staff asked people about how they preferred to receive their care and support, and respected their choices.

People received the support they required to have meals that met their dietary needs. Staff supported people to access healthcare services to maintain their well-being.

People were supported to maintain relationships with people that mattered to them. People were confident their concerns or complaints would be investigated and resolved.

People benefitted from a culture that was centred on their individual needs and openness about how staff provided their care. Staff were valued at the service and committed to providing high standards of care.

People’s care and support was checked and audited and the registered managed used the findings to drive forward improvements. There were strong links with the local community and a c

During our inspection we spoke with four staff members and four people who were using the service. We reviewed six care records for people who were using the service. There were regular discussions with people using the service and staff about how the service could be improved.

One person using the service told us, “I am happy living here.”

Peoples’ diversity, values and human rights were respected and people were treated as individuals. Staff demonstrated they understood peoples' care and mental health needs. People using the service had their needs assessed, monitored and reviewed through the care planning process and regular one to one meetings.

People using the service told us they felt safe and we found that staff were knowledgeable and competent.

We found that the provider responded appropriately to any complaints they raised.

People found that the provider responded appropriately to any complaints they raised. There was an effective system for maintenance and repairs of the premises and equipment in place. Not sure this is necessary as it is a regulation to have the premises in good order.

The people who lived at the home told us that they were happy there. They said that they were well cared for and the staff were kind and polite. They told us that they knew who to speak to if they were unhappy about anything. One person said that they had recently come to live at the home and their first impressions were very good.

These views and comments were borne out by most of what we found in our inspection. However, action to address areas of the home identified as unfit for purpose and in need of repair at our previous inspection was still outstanding at our recent inspection. Consequently, we found that people may continue to be at risk because some areas of the home had not been maintained adequately. We were told though that the funding for repairs and refurbishment had now been approved and a schedule was in place to carry out the work required.

The people we spoke with said they liked living in the home, and were happy with the service, their rooms, the staff, and the food. The people we spoke with said they enjoyed the activities and there was enough to do in the home.

However, some areas of the home were not fit for purpose or in need of repair.