We undertook an unannounced inspection on 1 August 2017 of 35/37 Solna Road, which is registered to provide accommodation for a maximum of 11 people with learning disabilities. At this inspection there were 10 people living in the home.

At the last inspection on 27 and 28 November 2014 the home was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the home remained ‘Good’.

The home had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the associated regulations on how the home is run.

People's rights were not always protected under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 as assessments had not been carried out to determine people’s capacity to make certain decisions. Deprivation of Liberty safeguarding (DoLS) applications had been made to deprive people of their liberties lawfully.

Risks had been identified and assessed that provided information on how to mitigate risks to keep people safe.

Medicines were being managed safely.

Staff had the knowledge, training and skills to care for people effectively. Staff received regular supervision and support to carry out their roles.

People had choices during meal times. People and relatives told us they enjoyed the food. People’s weights were regularly monitored.

People had access to healthcare services.

People and relatives told us that staff were friendly and caring. Our observations confirmed this.

People were treated in a respectful and dignified manner by staff who understood the need to protect people's human rights.

There was a programme of activities. These activities took place regularly.

People received care that was shaped around their individual needs, interests and preferences. Care plans were person centred.

Staff felt well supported by the management team and people and relatives were complimentary about the management of the home.

Quality assurance and monitoring systems were in place to make continuous improvements.

A single inspector carried out this inspection. We spoke with five people who used the service, three relatives, two members of staff and the registered manager. We reviewed the care records in place and looked at how the service was managed in relation to the standards we inspected.

The focus of the inspection was to gather evidence to answer the five key questions : is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Is the service safe?

Risk assessments completed for individuals were comprehensive. Staff had received safeguarding training and demonstrated a good knowledge of how to report any safeguarding concerns. However, the service had not considered the issue of bed rails and wheelchair lap belts restricting people's liberty under Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

Is the service effective?

The service was effective because people who used the service told us they felt their support was of high quality and helped them to lead active lives.

The service ensured that staff received adequate support which in turn led to staff who were effective in providing high standards of support at all times.

Is the service caring?

The service was caring because it treated people with respect, which we saw in the interactions between people and staff.

The service was also caring because it adopted a fully person-centred approach towards planning for and meeting people's individual needs.

Is the service responsive?

The service was responsive because it took action where this was seen to be necessary, for example by responding to issues identified as necessary by an infection control audit and by acting upon feedback from a relative in the annual satisfaction survey.

We noted that as people's needs changed over time, staff were able to respond to their needs.

Is the service well-led?

There was a comprehensive quality assurance framework in place to ensure quality standards were maintained and this was effectively managed and monitored by the registered manager and senior managers. For example, risks were assessed and managed effectively, there was a comprehensive complaints system in place and people were regularly asked for their views in the form of questionnaires.

We undertook this unannounced inspection on 29 & 30 June 2015. 35-37 Solna Road is a care home which is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for a maximum of eleven people with learning and physical disabilities. At this inspection there were nine people living in the home.

At our last inspection on 18 September 2014 the service did not meet Regulation 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 Safeguarding people who use services from abuse. At this inspection we found that this regulation had been met.

The home has 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 of the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People and their relatives informed us that they were satisfied with the care and services provided. People stated that they were treated with respect and felt safe in the home. Some people had complex needs and did not provide us with feedback. However, we observed that they were appropriately dressed and appeared well cared for.

People’s needs were carefully assessed. Staff prepared appropriate and detailed care plans with the involvement of people and their representatives. Their healthcare needs were closely monitored and attended to. Staff were caring and knowledgeable regarding the individual care needs of people. The home had arrangements for encouraging people to express their views regarding areas such as activities and meals provided. People’s preferences were recorded and arrangements were in place to ensure that these were responded to. People could participate in activities they liked and go on outings.

There were suitable arrangements for the provision of food to ensure that people’s dietary needs were met. People had received their medication. There were suitable arrangements for the recording, storage, administration and disposal of medicines in the home.

There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff had been carefully recruited and provided with training to enable them to care effectively for people. Staff had the necessary support and supervision to enable them to care for people. They had received training and knew how to recognise and report any concerns or allegations of abuse.

The home had comprehensive arrangements for quality assurance. Regular audits and checks had been carried out by the registered manager and the operations manager. These reflected the CQC standards expected of care services.

We found the premises were clean and tidy. The home had an infection control policy and measures were in place for infection control. There was a record of essential inspections and maintenance carried out. Risk assessments had been carried out and these contained guidance to staff on protecting people.