Sahara Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during the inspection.

This inspection took place on 19 and 20 December 2017 and 24 January 2018 and was unannounced. One inspector carried out this inspection. At the previous inspection in July 2015, the service was rated as ‘Good’ overall.

Sahara Lodge accommodates nine adults with learning disabilities and autism. One person is accommodated in a self-contained basement flat next door. The other eight people are accommodated in a three storey building on the ground and first floors. At the time of this inspection there were nine people using the service.

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.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

Relatives, health and social care professionals and other agencies were complimentary about the service people received. The service used a variety of communication methods to enable people to understand information given them and to voice their opinions. People had access to advocacy services to assist them to have a voice. Staff demonstrated a good rapport with people. People’s dignity and privacy was respected and care plans took account of the support they needed around relationships. Staff assisted people to reach for their goals and aspirations and were genuinely proud of what each person achieved.

Staff received support through regular supervisions and a wide range of training opportunities appropriate for their role. The premises had been refurbished and redecorated with the kitchen relocated to meet people’s needs. Building safety checks were carried out as required. The communal garden was spectacular and had been designed with the involvement of people who used the service. People were involved in menu planning and food preparation to meet their nutritional requirements. Staff assisted people to access healthcare professionals as they needed.

People’s care was personalised. Staff were responsive to any change of needs. People participated in activities of their choice. The wide variety of activities offered included the development of independent living skills and reflected people’s cultural or religious needs. People and their relatives knew how to complain but told us they had not needed to. Care plans included very detailed end of life care plans and staff were knowledgeable about how to make people’s end of life wishes happen.

The provider had systems in place to ensure people were protected from harm. Staff were knowledgeable about the actions to take if they suspected someone was being abused. People had risk assessments and risk management plans to mitigate the risks they may face. Safe recruitment checks were carried out and people were given the opportunity to participate in the interview process of new staff. Medicines were managed safely. The provider had systems in place for the control of infection.

The provider had various systems in place to obtain feedback from people and their relatives including regular meetings and feedback surveys. People were encouraged to participate in the development of the service. Staff had regular meetings so they could be updated and contribute to service deve

Sahara Lodge is a home for people with learning disabilities. Care and support is provided for up to six people. At the time of our inspection six people were living at the service.

During the inspection we talked with the registered manager who had been managing the service since May 2012.

People were relaxed and comfortable at Sahara Lodge. We saw that staff had a good rapport with people using the service. People were able to express their views at meetings. These were held every three months.

People were involved in making decisions about all areas of their care. We saw that their individual care files included appropriate risk assessments and care documentation, so that staff knew how to support people according to their needs and preferences.

People were supported to access a range of activities such as singing, going to day centres and individual and group trips out.

Staffing levels at Sahara Lodge reflected the activities and the support needed by people. On the day of the inspection we saw that there were enough staff to assist people with their activities. The service demonstrated strong leadership through involvement of people using the service, relatives and staff to influence care delivery.

Although many of the people were not able to communicate verbally staff were able to assist people to express themselves and indicate their agreement to care or preferences through the use of such skills as using sign language or prompts. We spoke with peoples relatives who said ''they (the staff) are very good with him and he seems more settled since being there.''

People's assessments and care plans considered all aspects of their personal needs. We saw that family members had been involved to assist with the development of support plans to ensure people’s best interests were represented. Relatives we spoke with told us that they felt they did not need to worry. One relative said ''I know he is in safe hands and has never looked back since being there.''

The premises were found to be generally clean and that staff had received training to understand how to prevent and control infections. We saw that there were arrangements in place to ensure hygiene standards were maintained.

People's health and welfare needs were met by staff that were supported through the provision of regular training and supervision.

We saw that there were systems in place and information available to support people to make comments and complaints. We saw that people's complaints had been responded to and appropriate actions taken, including keeping people's families informed when concerns had been raised.

We spoke to four members of staff responsible for supporting service users and the registered manager and met with 6 people who use the service including those from the house next door. Many of the residents are unable to communicate verbally. We saw staff interacting with people who use the service and that residents were well cared for, seemed cheerful and content and well occupied during the day.

The records showed that people’s needs were properly assessed and that care and support plans reflected the needs of individuals.

Staff said they enjoyed working at Sahara Lodge and commented on the training and the support available and the fact that the service focuses on people’s individual needs. The state of the building was noted in the previous inspection report and is shabby and tired although clean and reasonably homely.

Sahara Lodge is a residential care home for up to nine adults with learning disabilities. At the time of this inspection there were seven people using the service.

There was a registered manager at the home. 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.

We found people consistently received their medicines safely and as prescribed. There were systems in place to check and maintain the safety and suitability of the premises and these were up-to-date. Staff were knowledgeable about the procedures relating to safeguarding and whistleblowing. Safe recruitment checks were carried out and there were adequate numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. People had an assessment of their needs and risk assessments were carried out to ensure safe care was provided.

People were given a choice of food and drink and took part in the menu planning and grocery shopping for the house. Staff knew the people they were supporting including their preferences to ensure a personalised service was provided. There was a variety of activities offered in the home and in the community to ensure people had their social and emotional needs met. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. People had access to healthcare professionals as required to meet their day-to-day health needs.

Staff received regular training and opportunities for skill development. The manager and staff were aware of their responsibilities around legislation regarding people’s mental capacity. Staff described how they obtained people’s consent before delivering care.

People knew how to make a complaint and these were responded to within the timescales of the provider’s policy. Staff felt able to raise concerns or issues with the registered manager. The provider had systems to check the quality of the service provided. People and their representatives were able to give feedback through satisfaction surveys. Staff received regular supervisions to ensure good quality care was provided and attended regular staff meetings to receive updates on the service.