Mellieha is a care home providing personal care for up to 11 people with a learning disability and/or mental health needs. The home has increased in size since the last inspection and is now distinctly divided into two houses; the original house and a newly built house named Elmswell. There were 10 people in total living in the home at the time of the inspection. At our last inspection in 2015 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 Registered Provider was working within 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 were supported to live as ordinary life as any citizen.

People were safely cared for because systems and processes underpinned the individual support they needed. Risks were appropriately assessed and mitigated, with each person’s full involvement where possible. People were safely and individually supported with their medicines and staff demonstrated good understanding and safe practice for this. Medicines were securely stored.

Staff understood how to safeguard people from harm, and there was a thorough system for recording and learning from accidents and incidents. Premises and equipment were regularly checked for safety.

Staff training and supervision was continuous and staff were very well supported in 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 People were supported to lead healthy lives and there were effective links with other professionals. People’s dietary needs were well met and understood by staff.

Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and there were good opportunities for people to be independent. There was a very friendly, supportive atmosphere and people said they felt well cared for.

Care was person centred and people’s individual needs were promoted and respected. Care records showed individual preferences and people chose their own preferred lifestyle.

The provider was very involved in people’s care and support and they knew each person well. There was clear effective leadership and teamwork, with good communication at all levels. Audits were in place and regular feedback was sought about the quality of the service. Documentation was securely filed and wherever possible, easy-read formats were produced so people were very well included and informed.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

The inspection took place on 13 April 2016 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection of the home since its registration in 2015. Mellieha is one of three homes registered to this provider.

Mellieha is registered to provide accommodation for up to six people with learning disabilities. There were six people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

There was a registered manager in post who was also the provider. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Staff demonstrated safe practice and had a good understanding of how to keep people safe, with regard for the safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures. Procedures for safeguarding people were followed promptly and the provider worked closely with other agencies where concerns arose.

Staffing levels were supportive of people’s needs and flexible to support people to spontaneously go on local outings, as they wished to.

Staff had regular opportunities to update their skills and professional development. Staff demonstrated an understanding of the impact of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), although decisions made in people’s best interests were not always clearly documented.

There was a homely, welcoming atmosphere and people experienced good quality interactions from kind and caring staff.

Staff worked well as a team and felt supported by managers and the organisation.

Care records contained clear information covering all aspects of people’s individualised care and support, although these were not formatted in a person-centred way and some contained inaccurate information.

People felt supported to complain if they were unhappy about any aspect of their care and there was plenty of information for people to understand.

There were developing systems for auditing the quality of the provision. There was a clearly defined management structure so that all staff knew who was in charge of the running of the home. There was an open and transparent culture in which staff felt able to approach managers.