This inspection took place on 20 October 2016 and was unannounced. At the last inspection in September 2015, we asked the provider to take action to make improvements to the environment, managing risk for people using the service, staff training, quality assurance systems, notification of reportable events and record keeping. At this inspection we found the provider had followed their action plan and improvements had been made in the required areas.

The Chestnuts is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to five people with learning disabilities. There were four men using the service at the time of our inspection. People living in the home have both learning and physical disabilities and some people have limited communication abilities.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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 had taken action to review records about people’s care. Care plans for people accurately reflected their identified needs and the associated risks to their health and welfare. Incidents and accidents had been reviewed or investigated and reported to CQC appropriately.

Since our last inspection essential repairs and redecoration to the environment had been carried out. The home was clean, comfortably furnished and bedrooms were personalised according to people’s needs and interests.

We found that systems for managing medicines had been strengthened and the required records were being accurately maintained. Medicines were managed, stored, given to people as prescribed and disposed of safely. There were systems for checking that people received their medicines correctly and that staff administered medicines safely.

The arrangements for staff training had improved. Staff had updated their training where needed and completed training that was specific to people’s assessed needs. Staff felt well supported by the registered manager and told us she had made positive changes.

We found the systems to monitor the safety and quality of the service had been strengthened. Further audits and checks had been introduced so the manager knew what was working well and what needed improving in the home.

People were supported by adequate numbers of staff who had been safely recruited. Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns about people’s care and welfare and to protect them from abuse.

People received care which was person centred and responsive to their needs. Risk assessments identified risks associated with individual care needs and staff knew how to manage and minimise risks to people’s health and well-being. People’s needs were regularly monitored and reviewed. Where needs had changed, staff had taken action to ensure people received the care they needed.

Staff worked well with external health and social care professionals to ensure people received the services they needed. People were supported to keep healthy and their nutritional needs and preferences were met.

People were treated as individuals and staff interacted with people in a caring, supportive manner. Staff understood people's preferences and knew how people wanted to spend their time. People's need for independence and privacy was understood and respected by staff.

People’s rights were protected because the provider acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. This legislation is intended to ensure people receive the support they need to make their own decisions wherever possible. The Care Quality Commission monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. DoLS provides a process to make sure that peop