The inspection took place on 30 May 2018 and was announced. At our last inspection on 18 and 19 February 2015, 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.

Ashking House 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.

Ashking House provides accommodation and personal care for up to seven people in one two-storey building. At the time of our inspection there were seven people living at the home, all of whom had a learning disability. The home is managed and run by Allied Care Limited, a large organisation who owns services throughout the UK.

The care service has 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 and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy.

There was a manager in post who had recently started running the service. They had applied to be registered. 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.

There were systems and processes in place to protect people from the risk of harm. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs.

Checks were carried out during the recruitment process to ensure only suitable staff were employed.

There were arrangements in place for the safe management of people’s medicines and regular checks were undertaken.

The service was clean and had effective systems to protect people by the prevention and control of infection.

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.

The provider was aware of their responsibilities and had acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People’s nutritional and healthcare needs had been assessed and were met.

People were supported by staff who were suitably trained, supervised and appraised.

Staff were caring and treated people with dignity and respect. Care plans addressed each person’s individual needs, including what was important to them, and how they wanted to be supported.

People were involved in undertaking activities of their choice. People were cared for in a way that took account of their diversity, values and human rights.

Where appropriate, people’s end of life wishes were discussed and recorded.

People living at the home, their relatives and stakeholders told us that the management team was approachable and supportive. People and their relatives were supported to raise concerns and make suggestions about where improvements could be made.

The provider had effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and ensure that areas for improvement were identified and addressed.

The registered manager kept themselves informed of developments within the social care sector and cascaded important information to the rest of the staff team. This helped ensure that staff were informed and felt valued.

People’s care, health and welfare needs were being met. They were happy with the quality of care that they received. One relative told us “Oh yes he is definitely well cared for and it is the right place for him.” One person who used the service said “I am very well looked after. The staff are very very thoughtful to everybody. They are good when I am ill. They take me to the GP.” There were systems in place to ensure that people received their prescribed medication appropriately.

We found that there were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs. A member of staff said “staffing is fine. There are three staff plus one ‘floater’ during the day and we can ask for extra staff when needed for activities and appointments.”

People were given meals that they liked and that met their nutritional needs. A relative told us “they know how to ‘feed’ him and they know what he needs and likes.” It was very hot on the day of the visit and we saw that people were encouraged and supported to have regular drinks. People were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care because accurate and appropriate records were maintained.

During the course of the inspection we met and spoke with four of the six people who lived at Ashking House. Two people were able to give us some limited feedback about what they did and what they liked about Ashking House. We observed the care provided and how people interacted with staff. We also spoke with the relatives of three people who used the service. All those we spoke with were happy with the care and support provide by the service. We saw that staff spent time with people talking to them and doing different things. For example one person was in the garden helping to put laundry on the washing line. People were treated with respect by the staff team.

One person told us ”it’s alright girl” and “I am happy.” Another smiled and nodded when asked if they liked living at Ashking. One relative said “people are well looked after and staff are always helpful.” Another commented “yes, absolutely my son is well looked after. He enjoys it there and I am very pleased with the care and help.”

This unannounced inspection took place on 18 & 19 February 2015.

Ashking House is a 7 bed service providing support and accommodation to people with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection seven people were living there. It is a large house in a residential area close to public transport and other services. The house has special adaptations to the bath and shower rooms. There is a lift to the first floor. The home is therefore accessible for people with physical disabilities or mobility problems. People live in a clean and safe environment that is suitable for their needs.

There had not been a registered manager since 1st September 2013. However there was an acting manager in post and she had applied to be registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe at the service. They were supported by kind, caring staff who treated them with respect. Systems were in place to minimise risk and to ensure that people were supported as safely as possible.

People were cared for by staff who had the necessary skills and knowledge to meet their assessed needs, preferences and choices and to provide an effective service.

The staff team worked closely with other professionals to ensure that people were supported to receive the healthcare that they needed.

Staff had received Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) training. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards is where a person can be deprived of their liberties where it is deemed to be in their best interests or for their own safety. Staff were aware that on occasions this was necessary. We saw that this was thought to be necessary for some people living at the service to keep them safe. The manager had made the necessary applications to request agreement from the supervisory body.

People were happy with the food provided and were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs.

Staff received the support and training they needed to carry out their role and provide a safe and appropriate service that met people’s needs.

People were asked for their feedback about the service and about what they wanted. They felt that any issues or concerns they raised would be dealt with by the acting manager.

The provider and the management team monitored the quality of service provided to ensure that people received a safe and effective service that met their needs.