Shipley Lodge is a care home with nursing, and provides nursing and personal care to 16 people with mental health needs. The building is a large, purpose-built bungalow. Shipley Lodge also has an adjoining flat where staff support people who are preparing to move to more independent living. At the time of our inspection 16 people were living at the service. At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People were protected from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm. Risks associated with care were identified and assessed. Staff had clear guidance about how to meet people’s individual needs. Care plans were regularly reviewed with people and updated to meet their changing needs and preferences. The systems for managing medicines were safe, and staff worked in cooperation with health and social care professionals to ensure that people received appropriate healthcare and treatment in a timely manner.

People were supported and cared for by sufficient staff who were suitably skilled, experienced and knowledgeable about people’s needs. The provider took steps to ensure checks were undertaken to ensure that potential staff were suitable to work with people needing care. Staff received one-to-one supervision and had regular checks on their knowledge and skills. They also received training the provider felt necessary to meet the needs of people at the service.

People were supported to be involved in their care planning and delivery. The support people received was tailored to meet their individual needs, wishes and aspirations. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, and policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided and ensure people received safe and effective care. These included seeking and responding to feedback from people in relation to the standard of care. Regular checks were undertaken on all aspects of care provision and actions were taken to improve people’s experience of care.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Shipley Lodge provides accommodation and support to people with mental health needs. They are registered for 16 people and 14 people were using the service at the time of the inspection.

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.

People told us they were satisfied with the care and support provided. They had key workers who they worked closely with on their recovery programme and they were treated with kindness and respect. They felt safe using the service and confident to raise concerns or issues if they had any. They also felt confident that staff would treat their concerns appropriately.

Staff understood the needs of the people using the service and were positive about their role and the organisation. Recruitment procedures were robust and appropriate checks were carried out before people started work. Staff received an induction and on going training to ensure they had the knowledge and skills to support people in their care. Staff also received regular supervision and appraisals to ensure their practice was monitored. Managers were taking steps to recruit more staff to ensure they had enough skilled workers to meet the needs of people who used the service. Staff felt supported by managers.

People had their needs assessed and plans were in place to meet those assessed needs. People had their preferences and wishes taken into consideration and these were recorded in their plans. Risks were identified and recorded, plans were created to minimise the risk. People were supported to be as independent as possible; they were supported to access health care appointments as well as access community activities. People were offered choices of meals and drinks as well as the opportunity to prepare meals and drinks independently if they wished. People’s medicines were managed and administered safely following robust risk assessments to promote independence where possible.

People’s consent had been appropriately obtained and recorded. Both staff and the registered manager understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and how they might apply to the people who used the service.

There were effective systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service. The views and opinions of people who used the service were obtained and used to inform future improvements within the service.

People contributed to the development of their own care records and were central to any care review. People's care was reviewed regularly and their needs were met.

People using the service were able to participate in activities in the community with support where needed, and join in local community activities according to their interests. One person told us, “We get to go out with our mates and do the things we like to do. Staff help us look after ourselves so we are safe.”

The staff were friendly and professional in their approach and interacted confidently with people. There was a relaxed atmosphere in the home, and people were happy with the support they received. One person told us, “The staff here are sound and they’re always there to support you.”

People told us they felt safe and we saw that systems were in place to identify and report any concerns about people’s safety.

The provider had systems to ensure people could raise concerns and improve the quality of the care received.

People told us during a group discussion they liked living at Shipley Lodge, and everyone got on reasonably well with each other. They told us about the community activities they were involved in, which included the gardening club, the walking club and attending college. They also told us about activities organised by the service. People told us they had visited Skegness the week before our visit.

People told us they were encouraged to be as independent as possible. One person told us “I am going out to the café later today.” Another person told us “I go home to visit my family, it is three bus journeys but I manage ok.” People told us they were encouraged to keep their own room clean and tidy, and organise their own washing and ironing. During our visit, two people went out with their families, a small group went out after lunch to the local public house, and one person went out to the local café.

We asked people if they were involved in the running of the service. They told us they had ‘residents meetings’ every month. They told us they discussed topics such as what they want for the home, any issues, meals and activities and trips. People also told us they each had jobs to do around the home, such as setting the dining tables and keeping the communal rooms tidy.

We asked people if they knew about their care records. People told us their key worker discussed their care plans with them on a regular basis, and they were aware of the planned care and treatment. People told us they had agreed and signed their care plans. They told us arrangements were in place to manage their health care needs.