This inspection visit took place on 15 September 2016 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours' notice of our visit so people and staff would be available to speak with us.

Mere Lodge is a small registered care home for up to four adults who live with a learning disability. The service is located close to the centre of Leicester. At the time of our inspection visit, there were four people using the service.

We last inspected the service in August 2013 and found the service to be compliant with all our regulations.

The service has 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.

There were good systems in place to keep people safe. Staff felt confident to report any allegation or suspicion of poor practice and were aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. There were enough staff on duty in the service to meet people's needs. Staff had the time to provide both one-to-one and group support for people.

People had detailed assessments which identified actions staff needed to take to protect people from risks associated with their specific needs. People were supported to take their medicines as prescribed.

Staff had the skills and knowledge to ensure people were supported in line with their care needs. Staff received a thorough induction when they started work at the service and demonstrated that they fully understood their roles and responsibilities, as well as the values of the service. Staff had also completed specific training to make sure that the care provided to people was safe and effective to meet their needs. Staff valued the support of managers in enabling them to develop within their role.

The registered manager and staff we spoke with were knowledgeable of and acted in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff sought consent from people before providing care and support.

People were supported to have their mental and physical healthcare needs met and encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staff made appropriate use of a range of health professionals and followed their advice to ensure people's physical and emotional well-being was maintained.

People had positive relationships with the staff that supported them and spoke positively about their care and support. The registered manager sought out and respected people's views about the care they received. Staff promoted and upheld people's privacy and dignity.

People were supported to attend social and educational activities of their choice. People had access to a range of social events in the service and in the local community and were supported to build good links with local places of worship. People were supported to visit their relatives or relatives could visit their family members in the service at any time.

Care plans and risk assessments contained relevant information for staff to help them provide the personalised care people required. Care records were regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they reflected people's current needs. Staff demonstrated that they understood the needs of people. Staff were able to communicate well and enable people to make choices about how they lived their lives and how they preferred their care to be provided. People were encouraged and support to express any concerns or complaints they may have about the service.

The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care. In addition to regular audits and checks, the registered manager consulted people and their relatives and staff to find out their views on the care provided. They used this feedback to make improvements to the service. The registered manager kept up to date with changes in legislation

Mere Lodge provides care and support for four people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. We met three people who used the service on the day of our inspection. We were unable to speak with people who used the service in detail due to their complex communication and behavioural needs; however, we observed that people were comfortable and confident with staff.

There were systems in place that aimed to ensure people were protected from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm. People were cared for in an environment that was safe and appropriate for their needs.

People received care and support that met their individual needs and promoted their well-being. Care plans provided sufficient guidance for staff about how people’s needs should be met and these had been regularly reviewed. We found that people’s health had been monitored and guidance from health professionals had been sought when appropriate.

We spoke with staff and found they had been supported to deliver individualised, appropriate care that met the needs of people who used the service. Staff had received appropriate training and supervision to enable them to provide effective care that promoted people’s independence. The staff team cared for people with kindness, compassion and dignity and demonstrated a genuine rapport with the people who used the service. There were sufficient numbers of staff to ensure the safe and effective delivery of care.

Records showed that people’s views, wishes, preferences and concerns were sought, listened to and responded to. There was effective management in place which ensured the delivery of person-centred care, supported staff learning and development, and which promoted an open culture.

One person told us they liked living at Mere Lodge. They said, “This is a friendly place and I get looked after very well.” Not everyone was able to share their views due to communication difficulties, but all appeared happy and relaxed in the home.

The people who used the service got on well with each other and had formed strong bonds and friendships. This was evident in the way they interacted and enjoyed each other’s company. One person told us, “I like everyone here and I don’t want anything to change.”

One person told us they were satisfied with the meals provided. They told us, “I like the food we have here and I also like the takeaways – I have fish and chips or sausage and chips.”

The environment was designed to be calm and relaxing with muted colour schemes and big comfy settees. People’s bedrooms were spacious and each of the people who used the service had either a double or a king size bed.

Relationships between staff and the people who used the service were good. One person told us, “The staff are here to help me. I like them and I like my keyworker who is a good man. Keith (the manager) is also a good man and if there was anything wrong I’d tell him.”.

The people who use the service were all doing different things when we visited. One was at work, one at a day centre, and the others were in the home, one listening to music in their room, and another doing a hobby in one of the lounges.

One person told us they could choose their meals, activities and daily routines. They said they liked to get out and about and staff helped them to do this. Their room was being redecorated and they told us they were choosing the colour scheme.

People told us they liked living at Mere Lodge. One person said, “I like the food here, we have fish and chips and curry and soups and salad and chapattis.” They also said, “I like the staff. They take me out.”

During our visit the people who use the service were calm and settled. They trusted the staff and worked well with them. One person told us they understood they needed staff support when they went out and had agreed this was appropriate.

We asked one person who used the service what they’d do if there weren’t happy about something in the home. They said they’d tell the staff or the manager as ‘they’re all very helpful to me’.

People got on well with the staff team. One person told us, “The staff are very kind and they listen to me.” Staff worked with people in a warm and supportive way. They encouraged them to take part in the life of the home and go out into the community.

The people who use the service were consulted on all aspects of how the service was run. They contributed in one to one discussions with staff, group meetings, and through regular questionnaires issued by the service. Their relatives/representatives were also consulted.