This inspection took place on 23 and 24 August 2017 and was unannounced. Stroud Lodge provides accommodation and personal care to up to nine people who had a learning disability or a mental health disorder. At the time of our inspection the service was fully occupied. Stroud Lodge is based in Gloucester and is a short distance from a range of amenities. People were assisted by social care workers who assisted them with their day to day needs and a range of activities.

This was the first inspection under the current provider registration which started in October 2016. Previously the service was inspected under a previous provider name in March 2016 and was rated as “Outstanding”. While the provider name had changed the service and its staff had remained the same.

There was a registered manager 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were happy, safe and benefitted from an active and full life. People's confidence and ability to be as independent as possible was developed at Stroud Lodge. People were supported to take positive risks and to be in control of their care. People knew what their medicines were for and social care workers ensured people had their medicines administered safely. There were enough staff so that people could undertake the activities they wished and be supported in meeting their individual needs.

People were involved in writing and reviewing their care plans, which were tailored to their individual needs. People were at the centre of their care. Their social care workers knew people extremely well and knew how to support them with their goals and independence. People's achievements were documented and celebrated. The registered manager and staff were constantly looking for opportunities to offer to people that would help them grow, gain confidence and live a fulfilled life. People were able to participate in the quality assurance processes of their home and could undertake a variety of different training offered by the provider.

People and those important to them were closely involved in developing the service. People were enabled and encouraged to maintain and develop relationships in and outside of the home and to develop links with the community.

Social care workers were very well supported and had the benefit of a training programme which enabled them to ensure they could provide people with the best possible care and support. Social care workers understood and worked to the values of the registered manager and the provider and put people at the heart of everything they did. Staff were supported to develop professionally through dedicated management training programmes.

The service had a strong leadership presence with a registered manager who had a clear vision about the direction of the service. They were committed and passionate about the people they supported and were constantly looking for ways to improve. The home and the registered manager had significant support and guidance from the provider. Thorough and frequent quality assurance processes and audits ensured that all care and support was delivered in the safest and most effective way possible.