Stanway Green Lodge is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under a contractual agreement with the local authority, health authority or the individual, if privately funded. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Stanway Green Lodge accommodates a maximum of 30 older people, including people who live with dementia or a dementia related condition, in one purpose built residential style building. Stanway Green Lodge is a large detached building situated in a quiet residential area of Colchester and is close to all amenities. The premises are set out on two floors with each person using the service having their own individual bedroom and adequate communal facilities are available for people to make use of within the service. At the time of our inspection 27 people were using the service.

At our last inspection of this service on 09 September 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People continued to be protected against the risk of abuse. We observed that people were safe in their environment. Staff had received training about recognising the signs of abuse or neglect and knew what to look out for. Both the registered manager and staff understood their role and responsibilities to report any concerns and were confident in doing so.

The service had maintained risk assessments to identify and reduce risks that may be involved when meeting people's needs such as inability to verbally communicate, which could lead to behaviour that challenges and details of how the risks could be reduced. This enabled the staff to take immediate action to minimise or prevent harm to people.

There were still sufficient numbers of staff to meet people's needs. Staff were recruited using procedures designed to protect people from unsuitable staff. Staff were trained to meet people's needs and they discussed their performance during one to one meetings and annual appraisal so they were supported to carry out their roles.

Staff were consistently supported by the registered manager and deputy manager and felt able to raise any concerns they had or suggestions to improve the service to people. Staff had the knowledge and skills to meet people's needs, and attended regular training courses. The staff followed policies about Equality, Diversity and Human Rights and continued to receive training about this.

The systems for the management of medicines were followed by staff and we found that people received their medicines safely. People had good access to health and social care professionals when required.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The registered manager understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty safeguards and the home complied with these requirements.

People's care plans contained information about their personal preferences and focussed on individual needs. People and those closest to them were involved in regular reviews to ensure the support provided continued to meet their needs.

People were involved in assessment and care planning processes. Their support needs, likes and lifestyle preferences had been carefully considered and were reflected within the care and support plans available.

People were always motivated, encouraged and supported to be actively engaged in activities inside and outside of the home. People went out to their local community

Stanway Green Lodge provides care for up to 30 older people who may be elderly and or have a physical disability. Some people are living with dementia. There were 26 people living in the service when we inspected on 9 September 2015.

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.

Procedures were in place which safeguarded the people who used the service from the potential risk of abuse. Staff understood the various types of abuse and knew who to report any concerns to.

Staff understood how to minimise risks and provide people with safe care. Procedures and processes were in place to guide staff on how to ensure the safety of the people who used the service. These included checks on the environment and risk assessments which identified how risks to people were minimised.

There were sufficient numbers of staff who had been recruited safely and who had the skills and knowledge to provide care and support to people in the way they preferred. People were treated with kindness by the staff. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and interacted with people in a caring and compassionate manner.

Appropriate arrangements were in place to ensure people’s medicines were obtained, stored and administered safely. People were encouraged to attend appointments with other health care professionals to maintain their health and well-being.

People received care that was personalised to them and met their needs and wishes. Staff listened to people and acted on what they said. The atmosphere in the service was friendly and welcoming.

Care and support was individual and based on the assessed needs of each person. People’s care records contained information about how they communicated and their ability to make decisions.

Staff supported people to be independent and to meet their individual needs and aspirations. People were encouraged to pursue their hobbies and interests and participated in a variety of personalised meaningful activities.

People or their representatives were supported to make decisions about how they led their lives and wanted to be supported. Where they lacked capacity, appropriate actions had been taken to ensure decisions were made in the person’s best interests. The service was up to date with changes regarding the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People’s nutritional needs were being assessed and they were supported to eat and drink sufficiently. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible but where additional support was needed this was provided in a caring, respectful manner.

There was an open and transparent culture in the service. Staff morale was high and they understood their roles and responsibilities. The management team including the provider demonstrated good leadership skills and staff said they felt valued and supported.

There was a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to voice their concerns if they were unhappy with the service. Systems were in place that encouraged feedback from people who used the service, relatives, and visiting professionals and this was used to make continual improvements to the service.

We spoke with people at the service and were assured from what they told us that people were cared for with compassion and kindness. People told us that there were sufficient staff employed to meet people’s needs. We observed the lunchtime and found that people were given a choice of meals and people told us that they had sufficient to eat and drink. One visitor told us that their relative, “Loved the Sunday roast and always had a jug of fresh water in their room as well as the usual drinks rounds.”

We found this service to be well led by people who were responsive to our inspection.