Millbrook House is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal 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. Personal care is provided in one adapted building for up to 40 older people who require either nursing or personal care.

At our last inspection we rated the service as Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good. 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 in May 2015. The home was registered for eight people, at the time of our inspection seven people were living at Millbrook House.

The service continued to keep people safe. Staff knew how to keep people safe and what to do should there be a problem. Risk to people was assessed and where possible actions taken to mitigate risk. People were cared for by sufficient numbers of staff who were trained to meet their needs and wishes. People’s medicines were administered and stored as prescribed. The service was clean and fresh and there were systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. The provider had systems in place to review incidents and to ensure actions were taken to where possible prevent re-occurrence.

People’s needs were assessed prior to moving to the service and there were systems in place to ensure people had their care effectively delivered in line with current legislation. This included working to ensure people had their right under The Mental Care Act (MCA) promoted. The care service has been developed and designed in line with 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 can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

People’s nutrition was promoted and people had a varied and balanced diet. The service worked closely with health and social care professionals to ensure people had optimum physical and mental health. People lived in an environment that suite their needs.

People were cared for by staff that treated them with kindness and compassion. People’s dignity was respected and where possible people were encouraged to be as independent as possible. People had an input into how their care was delivered and they were given a voice in how the service was managed.

The care of people was person centred and was responsive to their needs and wishes. People had a full and active life based on how they wanted to live their lives. People’s views were captured in a variety of ways. There was a complaints process in place. There were no outstanding complaints at the service.

The service was managed and run in the best interests of people. There was an open and empowering culture throughout the service. While there was no registered manager, a manager had been appointed and in the interim the home was being managed by an experienced manager from another service run by the provider.

There was a quality assurance system in place to identity and action any issues raised. Accidents and incidents were recorded and a system was in place to ensure lessons were learned and safety promoted. The provider ensured the service put people’s welfare first by working with other health care and social care agencies.

This inspection took place on 25 June 2015 and was unannounced. This was the home’s first inspection.

Millbrook provides accommodation and support for up to five people who have a learning disability. At the time of this inspection there were two people living at the home.

There was a registered manager in post. The home is required to have 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.

People were safe and the provider had effective systems in place to safeguard people. Their medicines were administered safely and they were supported to access other healthcare professionals to maintain their health and well-being. They were given a choice of nutritious food and drink throughout the day and were supported to maintain their interests and hobbies. The provider had a complaints policy in place.

There were sufficient, skilled staff to support people at all times and there were robust recruitment processes in place. Staff were well trained and used their training effectively to support people. The staff understood and complied with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. They were caring and respected people’s privacy and dignity. Staff were encouraged to contribute to the development of the service and understood the provider’s visions and values.

There was an effective quality assurance system in place.