Rowan House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care 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.

Rowan House accommodates up to nine people and is designed to meet the needs of people with a learning disability. On the day of our inspection nine people were using the service.

We inspected the service on 19 June 2018. Our visit was unannounced. This meant the registered manager and staff team did not know we would be visiting.

At the last inspection in November 2015, the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection, we found the evidence continued to support the overall rating of ‘Good’ and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

The service had a registered manager in place at the time of our inspection. 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. The registered manager was also the provider and worked across two services which were in close proximity to each other.

The service had been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. The aim is that people with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

People told us they felt safe living at Rowan House. Their relatives agreed with what they told us. The registered manager and the staff team knew their responsibilities for keeping people safe from avoidable harm and knew what to do if they were concerned about anyone.

People’s care and support needs had been assessed prior to them moving into the service and the risks associated with their care and support had been reviewed and managed.

People were supported with their medicines effectively and staff competency had been checked to make sure people were supported in a safe way.

People spoken with felt there were enough staff members available to meet people’s care and support needs, Whilst the majority of the support workers we spoke with felt there were enough support workers on shift to meet people’s needs, comments were made regarding the extra tasks they were expected to perform whilst on duty.

Plans of care had been developed for each person using the service and the staff team knew the needs of the people they were supporting well.

Appropriate recruitment processes had been followed when new staff were employed to make sure they were suitable and safe.

People received support from a staff team that had the necessary skills and knowledge. New members of staff had received an induction into the service when they were first employed and training relevant to their role had been provided.

People were provided with a comfortable place to live and there were appropriate spaces to enable people to either spend time with others, or on their own. The staff team had received training in the prevention and control of infection and the necessary protective personal equipment was available.

The staff team supported people to make decisions about their day to day care and support. They were aware of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) ensuring people's human rights were protected. Where people required additional support to make decisions, advocacy support was made available to them.

People's food and drink requirements had been assessed and a balanced diet was being provided. People were supported to maintain good health. They had access to relev

This inspection took place on 25 November 2015. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location is a small care home for people who are often out during the day and we needed to be sure that someone would be in. At our previous inspection on 10 July 2013 the service was meeting the essential standards.

Rowan House is a residential care home providing care and support for up to nine adults with a learning disability. It is situated in a residential area of Hinckley. Accommodation is on the ground and first floor which is accessed by stairs. Rowan House has a communal dining area and lounge.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

The service provided a homely setting for people using the service. This was evident from outside the home by the absence of any sign that it was a residential care home. It looked like every other residential property in the area.

People using the service were protected from harm because staff understood and practised their responsibilities under the providers safeguarding procedures. People spent a lot of time outside Rowan House during the day when they attended various activity venues in the community. They were taught how to stay safe and report any concerns they had about their safety and welfare whilst out. People also participated in activities at Rowan House and were supported to maintain their hobbies and interests.

People were supported to be as independent as they wanted to be. Risks associated with their care and support and activities they participated in were assessed and managed. This meant that restrictions about what they couldn’t do were kept to a minimum.

The provider deployed enough suitably skilled and experienced staff to meet the needs of people using the service.

People received their medicines on time and understood what they were for. Only staff who were trained in medicines management handled medicines.

Staff had the right knowledge and skills to be able to support people using the service. Staff were supported through effective supervision, training and appraisal. They were supported to acquire further qualifications and develop their career in adult social care.

The registered manager had practical working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff were aware of the MCA and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), though some more than others. Staff provided people with information to enable them to make informed choices.

People were able to choose what foods they had. Staff advised people about healthy eating options and respected people’s choices.

Staff understood and were attentive to people’s health needs. They supported people using the service to access health services when they needed them.

People using the service and staff developed caring relationships because staff had a very good understanding of people’s needs. People were involved in decisions about their care and support and they had access to independent advocacy services when they needed them.

Staff treated people using the service with dignity and respect. They respected choices people made. People’s views were listened to and acted upon. People’s privacy was respected. They were able to spend time alone when they wanted.

People received care and support that was centred on their needs. People’s care plans were individualised and contained information about things that were important to them. Staff used that information to provide and arrange activities people enjoyed.

The provider had procedures for the reporting on incidents and accidents. Reports were investigated and when necessary action was taken to prevent similar events happening again.

People using the service, their relatives and staff were involved in developing the service. Their suggestions were listened

People we spoke with told us they made decisions about the care and support they needed and their choice of lifestyle. One person said: “I like it here, this is my home.” We saw staff supported people to make decisions about the daily life and showed genuine care and understanding of people’s needs. Records viewed reflected the choices and decisions made by people, which were reviewed regularly. For example, several people said they were looking forward to the holidays that they had booked.

People were offered a choice of meals that met their dietary needs and preferences. Meal times were an enjoyable experience. One person said: “Tonight’s a treat night. We have a take away meal that we like because everyone has different taste buds.”

Effective recruitment processes were followed when new staff were appointed and appropriate checks carried out before they commenced their new roles. All new staff completed a period of induction and training for their job role.

Information about the people who live at Rowan House was kept in their individual care files and stored securely. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to maintain accurate records. Other records relating to the staff and the management of the service were accurate, kept secure and could be easily accessed when required.

People’s care and support needs were recorded within their care plans. The care plans were comprehensive and provided clear and concise information for staff as to how people’s support was to be provided. People were consulted and involved in the review of their care and support needs, which promoted rights.

People received care and support from staff who were trained and supervised to ensure people’s health and safety.

People had opportunities to make comment about the quality of service they received. One person said “It’s a brilliant place to live, I love it here.”

The provider had an effective quality assurance system, which monitored the day to day running of the service and received feedback from people using the service about the quality of service provision. Health and safety checks were carried out on the environment and audits carried out on the management of medicines, care plans and the service provision.

People who used the service were complimentary about the care and support they received. People told us about the daily lifestyle and interests that they were supported with. People told us they went out with staff into the local community and took part in activities within the home. People said “I like all the staff” and “I’m happy and safe here. ”

People were aware of the information held in their care file and were supported to may decisions about their lives. One person said “We make decisions all the time for ourselves.” People were aware of how to make a complaint and were confident to speak with the staff or the manager if they had a concern.

Records showed people’s needs were assessed. People were supported to access health care services when required and their health was monitored by staff.

Records showed people who used the service were supported by staff who received regularly support and supervision.