49 Ware Road is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to six adults with learning disabilities. It is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. At the time of our inspection there were six people using the service.

The accommodation is provided in an extended and adapted large house in a residential area.

The care service had not originally been developed and designed in line 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 using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. However, people were given choices and their independence and participation within the local community encouraged.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this unannounced inspection on 13 December 2018 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 remained Good.

People using the service felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and they felt confident in how to report these types of concerns. People had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as they could be in a safe manner. Staff knew how to manage risks to promote people’s safety, and balanced these against people’s rights to take risks and remain independent.

There were sufficient staff with the correct skill mix on duty to support people with their required needs. Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the provider. Staff were not offered employment until satisfactory checks had been completed.

Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service. Effective infection control measures were in place to protect people.

People were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff were knowledgeable of this guidance and correct processes were in place to protect people. Staff gained consent before supporting people. 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 received an induction and on-going training. They had attended a variety of training to ensure that they were able to provide care based on current practice when supporting people. They were also supported with regular supervisions and observed practice.

People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff gave support if and when required to enable people to eat a balanced diet.

People were supported to access a variety of health professionals when required, including opticians and doctors to make sure that people received additional healthcare to meet their needs.

Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well. People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the planning of their care and support.

People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times. Care plans were written in a person-centred way and were responsive to people’s needs. People were supported to follow their interests and join in activities.

People knew how to complain. There w

The inspection took place on 07 June 2016 and was unannounced.

The Royal Mencap Society provides accommodation and personal care at 49 Ware Road for up to six people who have a learning disability. The service does not provide nursing care. There were six people living at the home when we inspected.

We last inspected the service on 14 November 2013 and found the service was meeting the required standards at that time.

The home had a registered manager. 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 who lived at Ware Road were not able to share their views with us. However, relatives and professionals involved with people’s care and support we spoke with gave us positive and complimentary feedback about the service and said that they had no concerns about the care and support that people received.

People’s relatives and professionals involved with the care and support of people who used the service told us that they felt that people were safe living at Ware Road. People had health care and support plans in place to help staff know how they liked their needs to be met. Risks to people’s safety and welfare had been identified and support had been planned to enable people to live as safely as possible whilst enjoying a variety of opportunities for engagement and stimulation. There were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s care and support needs.

Staff members understood their roles and responsibilities and were supported by the registered manager to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge. People enjoyed a varied healthy diet and their physical and mental health needs were well catered for.

The atmosphere in the home was warm and welcoming and there was an easy rapport between the staff and people who used the service. People’s relatives were encouraged to be involved in developing people’s support plans and to visit at any time. Staff promoted people’s dignity and treated them with respect.

There was an open culture in the home and relatives and staff told us that they were completely comfortable to speak with the registered manager if they had a concern. The provider had arrangements in place to regularly monitor health and safety and the quality of the care and support provided for people who used the service.

People living at Ware Road had complex needs and were unable to speak with us directly. However, we observed that people were well supported. One relative told us, “I am absolutely delighted with the care at Ware Road.”

Care plans we looked at were personalised and regularly reviewed. We saw that staff provided support to people in a way that met their needs and preferences. Additionally, people were supported to access a range of activities that promoted their independence.

Staff told us they enjoyed their work and felt supported. We found that the provider had systems in place to ensure the continuing professional development of their staff. We also found that the quality of the service was regularly reviewed.

We were unable to directly gain the views of people using the service due to the limitations of their verbal communication. We spoke by telephone with two people’s relatives who told us they were satisfied with the care and support provided to people using the service. One person said, “The care is very good and my relative is really well looked after there.”

Records showed that people experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. We saw that the provider had systems in place that were intended to protect people from abuse. Observations during our inspection visit showed that people were treated with dignity and respect.

Records viewed and discussions with staff confirmed that there were enough skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. Relatives we spoke with told us that that staff were approachable and friendly and able to meet the needs of the people using the service.