Valmark House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection. Valmark House is registered to provide accommodation and support with personal care for up to four people who have a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection, three people were using the service.

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 ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

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At this inspection we found the service good.

The service did not have a registered manager at the time of our inspection. 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 house manager was in the process of completing an application to apply for registration. The registered provider was also supporting the service day in this interim period.

The service is a semi-detached property with single occupancy bedrooms located over two floors. People have access to a kitchen, lounge/diner and quiet room. The service has a well-maintained garden.

People were safe at the service. Staff knew how to identify abuse and understood the safeguarding procedures to follow to protect people from abuse. Risks to people's health and well-being were assessed and managed. People's needs were met in a safe and timely manner by a sufficient number of staff. The provider followed appropriate recruitment procedures to ensure they employed staff who were suitable to provide care. There was effective infection control procedures in place and people's medicines were managed safely. Equality and diversity priorities were in place to protect people and staff from discrimination. Systems were in place to ensure lessons were learned whenever an incident took place.

Care plans gave staff clear information about people’s physical and emotional needs and the support they required. People had access to a range of health and social care professionals and were provided with a healthy and balanced diet. Staff ensured people had sufficient amounts to eat and drink. 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.

Staff involved people in planning their care and knew their likes, dislikes and preferences. People had developed positive working relationships with the staff who supported them. People were treated with respect and their confidentiality maintained. Staff promoted people's privacy and dignity.

People participated in activities, hobbies and interests on a daily basis. There was a complaints process available and people were asked for their views at review meetings. In addition, people and their relatives were invited to give their feedback in surveys. Care plans were person centred and gave staff clear information about the person's preferences and what was important to them. For those people who were unable to express their needs and wishes verbally, staff had detailed information about the behaviours, gestures and body language people would display to communicate their needs or emotions.

Regular audits and checks were carried out on the quality of care people received. Shortfalls identified were addressed in a timely manner.

Valmark House is a small care home that provides accommodation and personal care to up to four people who have a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection three people were using the service.

The home is managed by someone who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The registered manager was not on duty at the time of our unannounced inspection. 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 service knew how to keep people safe. Staff helped make sure people were safe at Valmark House and in the community by looking at the risks they may face and by taking steps to reduce those risks.

People were cared for by staff who received appropriate training and support to do their job well. Staff felt supported by managers. There were enough qualified and skilled staff at the service. Staffing was managed flexibly to suit people's needs so that people received their care and support when they needed it. Staff had access to the information, support and training they needed to do their jobs well.

We observed staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and were able to use various forms of interaction to communicate with them. Care records focused on people as individuals and gave clear information for people and staff using a variety of photographs, easy to read and pictorial information. Staff supported people in a way which was kind, caring, and respectful.

Staff helped to keep people healthy and well, they supported people to attend appointments with GP’s and other healthcare professionals when they needed to. Medicines were stored safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed. People were supported to have a balanced diet and were able to make food and drink choices. Meals were prepared taking account of people’s health, cultural and religious needs.

A number of audits and quality assurance systems helped the manager and provider to understand the quality of the care and support people received. Accidents and incidents were reported and examined and the manager and staff used this information to improve the service.

We saw that people gave consent to their care and treatment. People were involved with creating their own care plans and determined their own goals. We observed people being given choices throughout the duration of our inspection. Where people could not give consent we saw that mental capacity assessments had been completed.

People's care plans were accurate and informed staff how best to support them. Care plans and risk assessments ensured people could maintain their independence and be involved in the community. One person told us, "I like seeing my dad, he brings me presents and we watch a DVD." The same person also told us, "I love playing on my Xbox, I can play online now."

We found the service to be clean and well maintained. There were appropriate risk assessments in place and the utilities had been inspected and certified.

There were enough skilled, qualified and experienced staff to meet people's needs.

Records were stored securely, and were accurate and fit for purpose.

The people using the service had complex needs which meant that some people were not able to tell us their experiences. The two people we spoke with told us that they liked living at Valmark House and were very happy there. From our observations and time spent at Valmark House we saw that the people living there were receiving the care and support they needed in an individual way and wherever possible staff tried to facilitate choice and independence. Staff looked after people's healthcare needs in a proactive way and medicines were managed safely and appropriately.

The staff team were well trained and supported to carry out their role.

People with whom we spoke told us that they were aware of their care plan. One person told us that a member of their family was also involved, which they were very happy about. One person told us that they were happy with the care and support that they received. One person told us that the care staff were friendly and kind.

People with whom we spoke told us that the care staff support in meal preparation as required. People said that they had been asked if they had any specific dietary requirements, likes, dislikes and cultural needs that the staff should be aware of.

People with whom we spoke told us that they felt safe and able to talk to staff if they were unhappy and/or had any concerns. People with whom we spoke told us that the staff support them to manage their medication. One person told us that they were happy with the staff supporting them with their medication.

People with whom we spoke told us that they liked the staff that worked with them. One person with whom we spoke told us that the staff are "really nice." People told us that staff listen to them and ask them their views.