Red Gables is registered to provide care and accommodation to a maximum of 11 adults who have learning disability, physical disability and/or autism. There were nine people using the service at the time of this inspection.

At the last inspection in June 2015 the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good:

Without exception people’s lives had been improved through the skills and expertise of the registered manager and support staff, who people liked and trusted. People were supported to lead interesting and fun lives. The range of activities people accessed was very broad and enriched their lives. There was a ‘can do’ attitude.

People’s safety was promoted through safe recruitment, staffing, safeguarding from abuse, well maintained premises and arrangements should there be an emergency. Individual risk was managed in the least restrictive way. Medicine management was of a high standard.

Staff received training and support which provided them with the skills and competence to support people effectively. People’s health care needs were well met. People received a healthy and varied diet and were involved in choosing the menu, buying the food and preparing it.

People’s legal rights were upheld.

The service was caring. People were given choice and their views and choices respected. People received care and support in a dignified way and their privacy was upheld. People were treated with respect and sensitivity.

The organisation’s values and objectives, to improve people’s lives, were met. People, people’s family members and professionals associated with the service spoke highly of the registered manager. The registered manager said they provided consistency without complacency.

There were effective arrangements in place to monitor safety and the quality of the service, including listening to people’s views and responding to any complaints or suggestions.

We undertook an unannounced inspection of Red Gables on 30 June 2015. At the time of our inspection eight people were living in the home. Red Gables is a small care home providing personal care for up to 11 people with learning difficulties.

The service had 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Relatives told us people were kept safe and free from harm. There were appropriate numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service.

Staff received regular training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and support needs.

There were suitable recruitment procedures and required employment checks were undertaken before staff began to work at the home. Staffing levels and skill mix were planned, implemented and reviewed to keep people safe at all times. Any staff shortages were responded to quickly and appropriately. Staff told us the recruitment process could take a long time because the employer waited for references and background checks to be done before staff could start work.

Systems, processes and standard operating procedures around medicines were reliable and appropriate to keep people safe. Monitoring the safety of these systems were robust.

Assessments were undertaken to assess any risks to the person using the service and to the staff supporting them. This included environmental risks and any risks due to the health and support needs of the person. The risk assessments we read included information about action to be taken to minimise the chance of harm occurring.

Staff knew the people they supported and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and families were involved in making decisions about their care.

People were supported to eat and drink. Staff supported people to attend healthcare appointments and liaised with their GP and other healthcare professionals as required to meet people’s needs.  Staff told us the registered manager was accessible and approachable. Staff and relatives felt able to speak with the manager and provided feedback on the service.

The manager and provider undertook spot checks to review the quality of the service provided and made the necessary improvements to the service.