Milldale is a home that provides accommodation and personal care one person living with a learning disability who may also have complex needs. On the day of our inspection there was one person living at the home.

The inspection took place on the 12 July 2018 and was unannounced.

There was a registered manager at this home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered providers and registered managers 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.

The person felt happy and comfortable around staff they knew.

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.

Relatives said they were happy about the care their family member received. They told us staff were caring and promoted the person's independence. We saw the person was able to maintain important relationships with family and friends. The person had food and drink they enjoyed and had choices available to them, to maintain a healthy diet. Staff knew the person who lived at the home well and were able to support them to eat and drink. The person was protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage them. Relatives told us they had access to health professionals as soon as they were needed.

The person and their family told they were involved in planning the care their relative received and were kept informed about their care. The person living at the home was supported to maintain relationships and friendships that were important to them. The person and their family understood how to complain if they needed to although they felt they could approach staff in the first instance.

Staff we spoke with were aware of how to recognise signs of abuse, and systems were in place to guide them in reporting these. They were knowledgeable about how to manage the person's individual risks, and could respond to their needs. Staff had up to date knowledge and training to support the person. We saw staff treated people with dignity and respect whilst supporting their needs.

The registered manager promoted an inclusive approach to providing care for people living at the home by involving the person in making decisions about their care. Staff attended regular meetings to share their views and share ideas for improving care at the home. The provider and registered manager had systems in place to monitor how care at the service was provided, to ensure the person received quality care that was reviewed and updated regularly.

The inspection was unannounced and took place on 23 November 2015. Milldale Close registered with the Care Quality Commission in July 2013 and this was the first inspection. The home is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for a maximum of one person. There was one person living at the home on the day of the inspection and because of this and the fact that we want to protect this person’s rights to a private life, the report will provide an overview rather than specific examples.

There was a registered manager in place who is also registered to manage another service. 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 protected from harm as staff knew how to protect them from abuse. Relatives told us that people were supported when required and they were happy with the support people received.

People received their medicines in a way that kept them safe. Staff had received medication training and there were arrangements in place for managing people’s medication.

Staff had been recruited following the appropriate checks on their suitability to support people living in the home. Staff were available to meet people’s needs promptly and they demonstrated good knowledge about people living at the home. Staff received training to provide appropriate knowledge to support people and staff felt supported by the registered manager.

People chose how they spent their days in their home and what they wanted to do and were encouraged to engage in their personal interests and the activities they enjoyed.

Care and support was provided to people with their consent. Staff understood and recognised the importance of this. We found people were supported to maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. People had access to healthcare professionals and were supported to attend appointments. Staff showed knowledge of people’s health needs and their relatives were informed of any changes in their family members’ health and support.

Relatives told us they felt staff were caring and that they knew how to look after people who lived at the home. Staff showed us that they knew the interests, likes and dislikes of people. We saw that staff ensured that they were respectful of people’s choices and decisions. Where people were unable to make specific decisions about their care these were made on their behalf in their best interests.

Relatives of people living at the home knew how to make complaints and told us they would speak to staff and the registered manager about any concerns. The registered manager advised that any concerns were picked up and dealt with immediately.

The provider demonstrated clear leadership. Staff were supported to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively, so that people received care and support in-line with their needs and wishes.