Redfern is a large terraced house which is registered to accommodate a maximum number of seven people with a learning disability. The property is within walking distance of the beach, town centre and many local amenities, including transportation links to nearby towns. There were seven people using the service at the time of the inspection.

At the last inspection in October 2014, the service was rated 'Good'. At this inspection we found the service remained 'Good'.

People were kept safe from avoidable harm and staff understood the process to follow to safeguard people if they needed to report any concerns. Risks to people were identified and plans were put in place to help manage the risk and prevent harm. Medicines were managed safely with an effective system in place. Staff competencies, around administering medication, were regularly checked. Appropriate checks of the building and maintenance systems were undertaken to ensure health and safety was maintained.

There were sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of people who used the service. Staff provided people with the support they needed and with visits out in the community. There was a system in place to ensure that new staff had the appropriate skills and experience and were of good character.

People were supported by a consistent team of staff who were knowledgeable about people’s likes, dislikes and preferences. A comprehensive training plan was in place and all staff had completed up to date training. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People were able to make decisions about their day to day care. Staff supported people to maintain their health and attend routine health care appointments.

Care plans detailed people’s needs and preferences and were person-centred. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they contained up to date information that was meeting people’s care needs. People were actively involved in care planning and decision making. People who used the service had access to a wide range of activities and leisure opportunities. The service had a clear process for handling complaints.

The registered manager promoted a positive, person-centred culture and was committed to making continued improvements to the delivery of care. Regular audits were carried out to identify areas for improvement.

During this inspection we looked at the care records for two people, spoke with the manager and two members of staff. We also spoke with two people who used the service and one relative.

We observed the interactions between staff and people who lived at Redfern. We saw people moved freely around the home, made their own day-to-day decisions and were supported by staff where necessary.

People we spoke with made positive comments about the care they received. Comments included, “It is ok here.” “I am learning how to do things for myself.” “The staff are nice and kind.”

We found that care/support plans provided staff with the information they needed to meet people's needs.

We saw that people had access to equipment they needed, which was safe to use and appropriately maintained.

People’s needs were met by sufficient staff and appropriate skill mix.

Records were accessible to staff and had been stored securely.

During the inspection we spoke with three people who used the service. We also spoke with the manager and two care staff. One person we spoke with told us, “Staff really help me, I have cut down my cigarettes from 60 a day to 20 a day since living here.” Another person told us, “I won’t be back for tea tomorrow, I’ll be at my sisters and then we are going to see the Drifters.”

People told us they were able to make their own day to day decisions and lifestyle choices and were treated with dignity and respect by the staff.

We found that people had their needs assessed and that care plans were in place. All the people we spoke with were very satisfied with the service they received.

People were provided with a choice of suitable and nutritious food and drink.

The environment was generally clean however some areas of the home were in need of repair and redecoration.

There were appropriate arrangements in place for the recruitment of staff.

There was a complaints procedure in place and this was accessible to people.

During our visit we spoke to two people living at the home, they told us that they liked living at Redfern, that “it’s cool.” One person told us they had their “own lovely room”, “the meals here are awesome, we get pasta, beef, chicken and a roast dinner” and “the curries here are fantastic.”

People told us about the things that they like to do, such as “I went out on Sunday to Whitby.”, “I’ve got a job at the theatre doing acting and singing, I was Widow Twanky in the pantomime Aladdin, and I’m playing the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz.”, “I’m going to Mind this afternoon”, “I go to the bingo twice a month, I like bingo, I won £25 three weeks ago.”, “We’re going swimming this weekend”, “I need to plan a holiday, but I don’t like to fly.”, “We have a football tournament between all the houses and I’m the Redfern goal keeper.” and “I won Milewood’s got talent, I did Queen and then did Lady Gaga at the end.”

We inspected Redfern over 2 days on 14 October 2014 and 21 October 2014. The first day was unannounced which meant the provider and staff did not know we were visiting. We last inspected Redfern on 6 December 2013 and found the service was not in breach of any regulations at that time.

The service provides accommodation for up to seven people who live with a learning disability. Care is provided in single occupancy rooms.

There is a manager in post who is registered with CQC. 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 policies and procedures in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The manager had the appropriate knowledge to know when an application should be made and how to submit one. This meant people were safeguarded. We found the location to be meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were encouraged to live fulfilling lives and it was clear from our observations that staff had developed good relationships with people. People were involved in daily living tasks within the service. We saw kind and supportive interactions and people were offered choices, encouraged to make decisions and had their dignity and privacy respected.

Good arrangements were in place to ensure people’s health care and nutritional needs were met. At the time of the inspection no one living at Redfern were nutritionally at risk, however staff had systems in place to monitor this. People told us they were satisfied with the meal choices and quality.

People had their needs assessed before moving into the service and comprehensive transitional arrangements were in place. Staff had training appropriate to their job role that was regularly updated.

People had opportunities to be involved in a range of activities, which were influenced by their hobbies, interests and lifestyle preferences and associated risks.

People were provided with information about concerns and complaints. There was an open and inclusive culture and people had their views listened to.

Effective management arrangements were in place and people living at the service and staff could express their views about the service and were listened to. Quality assurance systems and audits were completed and there were systems for continual development and improvement.