Medlock Court provides short stay accommodation and enablement support for up to 32 people. On the day of our inspection 26 people were using the service. Medlock Court is a large, single storey, purpose built building that is accessible for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility limitations.

This inspection took place on the 10 April 2018 and was unannounced. This was a comprehensive inspection carried out by two adult social care inspectors. The inspection had been brought forward prompted by concerns relating to a specific incident. This incident is subject to an investigation and as a result this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident.

When we last inspected Medlock Court in April 2016 we rated the service as ‘good’ and did not find any breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. Since that time we received concerns about the home from a member of the public. The concerns included the management of risk of falls, medicines management, and diabetes management. At this inspection the service remained ‘good’. We found that the service had learned from previous incidents and had made improvements in order to mitigate risks appropriately.

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.

People told us they felt safe at the service. Staff knew how to protect people from harm and what they would do if they had any safeguarding concerns. Risks to people had been assessed and plans put in place to keep risks to a minimum. Lessons were learnt from complaints, safeguarding and incidents to prevent reoccurrence in the future.

The service had improved how people’s medicines were managed when they arrived at the service. The administration of medicines was safe. Staff had been trained in the administration of medicines and had up to date policies and procedures to follow.

Safe and robust recruitment practices were in place and sufficient staff were employed to meet the assessed needs of the people living at the home.

New staff received induction training to provide them with the skills to care for people. Staff files and the training matrix showed staff had undertaken sufficient training to meet the needs of people and they were supervised regularly to check their competence. Supervision sessions also gave staff the opportunity to discuss their work and ask for any training they felt necessary.

The home was clean and tidy. The environment was maintained to a good standard and was homely in character.

Electrical and gas appliances were serviced regularly. Each person had a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) and there was a business plan for any unforeseen emergencies.

There were systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. Staff were trained in infection control and provided with the necessary equipment and hand washing facilities. This helped to protect the health and welfare of staff and people who used the service.

Staff had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities of how to apply any best interest decisions under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and followed the correct procedures using independent professionals.

We observed there were good interactions between staff and people who used the service. People told us staff were kind and caring.

We saw from our observations of staff and records that people who used the service were given choices in many aspects of their lives and helped to remain independent where possible.

We saw that the quality of care plans gave staff sufficient information to look after people accommodated a

This inspection took place on the 26, 27 and 28 April 2016. Our visit on the 26 April was unannounced.

Medlock Court provides short stay respite accommodation and assessment, reablement support following a hospital stay, for up to thirty two people. One person regularly used the service at the time of our inspection. Medlock Court was fully occupied when we inspected the service.

The service is provided in a large, single storey purpose-built building that is accessible for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility limitations.

The accommodation at Medlock Court was well maintained, clean, tidy and pleasantly decorated. Comments from people using the service included “My room is nice" and "it doesn’t smell here, there’s always someone cleaning".

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.

We found that the service provided safe care that met people’s needs.

People and their relatives were very positive about the caring nature of the care staff at Medlock Court. We saw that care staff were caring, kind and compassionate.

People were encouraged to express their preferences about their support but this detail was not always documented in care plans. The provider had already identified this and was in the process of reviewing and updating all care records.

There were systems in place to ensure people who did not always communicate verbally could have their say through picture format. One member of care staff was also trained in sign language.

Some care staff received appropriate support through training, supervision and appraisal of their work.

Care staff knew what to do to keep people safe. There were appropriate procedures in place to ensure people knew how to report any concerns and that concerns were acted upon.

There were enough care staff to meet people’s needs and safe recruitment checks were made for new care staff.

Care staff supported people to eat nutritious food and supported people to access health care facilities when they needed to.

The registered manager sought feedback about the service from people, their relatives and carers. People knew how to complain if they wished to.

The registered manager completed regular checks of the service and made changes to improve the service where identified.