Riverside House is a residential care home for 13 people with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were 12 people using the service.

At the last inspection on 21 May 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Staff and management understood how to protect people from harm and abuse. Risks to people's safety were identified, assessed and appropriate action taken. People’s medicines were safely managed. People were supported by sufficient staff who had been recruited using thorough checks.

People were supported by staff who had training and support to maintain their skills and knowledge to meet their needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People were treated with dignity, respect and kindness and were involved in the planning and review of their care and support. People were supported to maintain and develop their independence.

People received individualised care which reflected their personal preferences, wishes and routines. There were arrangements to investigate and respond to complaints.

The registered manager was visible and accessible to people and staff. Quality checks were made with the aim of improving the service in response to people's needs.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The inspection took place on the 21 May 2015 and was unannounced.

Riverside House is a residential care home for 13 people. People living at the home have a range of needs including learning disabilities and mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 12 people living at the home.

The home 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were protected from the risk of being cared for by unsuitable staff because robust recruitment practices were operated. Medicines were well managed. People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who received appropriate training and had the right knowledge and skills to carry out their role. People were protected from the risk of abuse by staff who understood safeguarding procedures.

People were supported by staff with the knowledge and skills to carry out their roles, including knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were active in choosing menus and received support to eat a varied diet. People were supported to maintain their health through support in accessing healthcare and a working relationship between Riverside House and a local GP practice.

People were treated with respect and kindness, their privacy and dignity was respected and their desire for independence was understood and promoted.

People received individualised care through regular review and consultation by staff. People were enabled to engage in a range of activities of their choice. There were arrangements to respond to any concerns and complaints by people using the service.

The vision and values of the service were clearly communicated to staff. Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of care and safety of the home. As part of this, the views of people using the service were taken into account and responded to.

On entering the home we found the atmosphere warm and welcoming. We viewed the suitability of the building and found that the home accommodated the care and welfare of people who used the service.

The people within the home had complex needs and we observed staff respecting people's wishes whilst understanding the care and support needed. We saw that people's rooms catered to their individual needs with some bedrooms being decorated with their personal belongings whilst others were minimal.

We looked at people's individual files which incorporated their care plans, risk assessments and health care needs. We found that they encompassed the safety and well-being of people who used the service.

Staff and people who used the service knew how to raise a concern or complaint and felt confident in doing.

We saw that staff had received all relevant training and had received regular supervision and an annual appraisal which ensured that staff had the necessary qualifications, skills and experience to support people who used the service.

During the visit there was a calm atmosphere in the home and people we met said that they welcomed staff support. People who used the service were able to have choices about aspects of daily living and contribute to their individual care plans.

One person told us, "I love living here". Care is personalised and there is a great respect within the home for creating individual personal space.

People told us they felt safe within the home.

We found there to be a good staff ratio and there was evidence of staff having suitable qualifications and training. Management at the home had appropriate systems in place to monitor the quality of care, health and safety.

People we spoke to told us that they were aware of their care plans and about the health checks they had received. They also told us that the staff were polite to them and that they had a choice about the activities they were involved in.

We were told how people's privacy was respected and how the service provided a safe environment.