The inspection took place on 31 October 2017 and was announced. We gave the provider notice the day before the inspection as the service was small and we wanted to be certain someone would be available to assist with the inspection.

This was Alvina Lodge’s first inspection since registering in October 2016. People had been using the service since December 2016.The service was run by Flying Angel Limited.

Alvina Lodge provides support and accommodation for up to five adults who have mental health needs. There were four people using the service at the time of this inspection.

There was 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.

The registered manager and deputy manager worked alongside staff on shift so that they could see how the service met people's needs.

There were systems in place to check the fire procedures and the equipment used to protect people in the event of a fire.

Staff received training on safeguarding adults from abuse and there were policies and procedures in place to inform staff on what to do if they had a concern about a person’s welfare and safety. There had been no safeguarding incidents since the service registered.

People’s care records included people's needs and preferences and were individualised. We saw information had been reviewed on a regular basis.

Feedback from people using the service, staff we spoke with and one social care professional was positive about the service.

Staff received support through one to one and group meetings. They also received an annual appraisal of their work. Training on various topics and refresher training had been arranged that were relevant to staff member's roles and responsibilities.

People were unrestricted in their movement around the service and the activities they chose to participate in. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the systems in the service supported this practice.

There were sufficient numbers of staff working to meet people’s needs. Recruitment checks were carried out to make sure staff were suitable to work with people using the service.

People received the medicines they needed safely.

People had access to the health care services they needed and their nutritional needs were being met.

There was a complaints procedure available and people told us they knew how to raise a concern or complaint.

There were checks and regular audits on a range of areas in the service to ensure people received safe good care.