Tidings is a residential care home for 13 people. The home specialises in the care of people who have mental health issues and/or a learning disability. Some people at the home had degenerative conditions and had complex specialist mental and physical healthcare needs.

The home is located in a residential area of Minehead with easy access to all local amenities. At the time of the inspection 13 people were living at the home.

The provider works in accordance 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.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

There is 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 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Tidings is a family run home which has been owned and managed by the same family for 17 years. The registered manager is part of the management team, which is made up of members of the family who own the home.

Tidings was well led by a management team who were fully involved in the day to day running of the home. They had a commitment to excellence, empowering people and providing an inclusive environment where people were encouraged to achieve their goals. This commitment was shared by a stable staff team who were well supported and supervised to make sure these values were put into practice.

There were systems in place to keep people safe. These included making sure people had information on how to keep safe and that staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. The open and inclusive culture in the home made it easy for people to share any concerns. One person told us, “I know all about abuse. I would talk to staff and they would sort it out.”

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People only received care with their consent and were able to make choices about all aspects of their day to day lives. One person told us, “I can do what I like. Everything is your choice.” Where people lacked capacity to make decisions staff made sure their legal rights were protected.

Risk assessments were used to promote people’s independence not to restrict them. Where people wished to take part in particular activities or learn new skills the staff supported them to do so with minimum risk to themselves or others.

Staff were knowledgeable and skilled in providing personalised care to people. Staff had access to bespoke training which ensured they were able to effectively support people with their very specialist needs. Staff provided people with kind and compassionate care.

People received their medicines safely in their chosen way. Staff monitored people’s health and supported them to attend appointments with other professionals.

The staff worked in partnership with other professionals to make sure people received care and support which was extremely personalised to their needs and wishes. People had opportunities to take part in a wide range of social activities in accordance with their wishes and interests.

When people reached the end of their lives, they could be assured they would receive high quality, professional care. At the end of their lives people received care in accordance with their wishes and beliefs.

This inspection was unannounced and took place on 21 January 2016.

Tidings is registered to provide care and accommodation to up to 13 people. The home specialises in providing care and support to people with learning difficulties and/or mental health needs.

This is the first inspection of Tidings since the provider changed their legal entity to a limited company – Tidings Care Homes Ltd, in March 2014.

There is 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.

At the time of the inspection the home was managed on a day to day basis by the nominated individual and an acting manager. The registered manager was part of the management team but did not take the lead role. People and staff described the management team as very supportive and approachable.

People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. There was a stable staff team who were kind and caring. There was constant interaction between people and staff and more than one person described living at Tidings as like living in a big family. The home had a happy atmosphere and people were very relaxed.

Risks of abuse to people were minimised because the provider had a robust recruitment procedure which made sure new staff were thoroughly checked before they began work. There was information about how to raise concerns and how to access independent advocates. People and staff were confident if they raised any concerns they would be dealt with appropriately.

People received effective care and support because staff were well trained. The provider used creative methods to make sure staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs and protect their rights.

People’s care was planned and delivered in a way that respected their wishes and took account of their changing needs. Each person had a care plan which they had been able to contribute to. Care plans were regularly reviewed to make sure they reflected people’s up to date needs. People had access to healthcare professionals according to their individual needs and staff supported people to attend appointments.

People were able to take part in a variety of activities in line with their interests and abilities. Some people attended college, some went to a local resource centre and staff supported people to attend local clubs and access community facilities.

The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and to seek people’s views. People felt involved in the running of the home and able to share their views and concerns.