The inspection took place on the 28 September 2017 and was announced.

Brookmead is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to five people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. On the day of our inspection there were four people living at the service.

At the last inspection on 4 November 2014, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People living at Brookmead were unable to talk with us to discuss their care. However, people’s relatives told us they felt the service was safe. People remained protected from the risk of abuse because staff understood how to identify and report it.

The service had a manager, who had been in post for approximately two months. They were not at the time of our inspection registered with the CQC. 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 provider continued to have arrangements in place for the safe ordering, administration, storage and disposal of medicines. People were supported to get their medicine safely when they needed it. People were supported to maintain good health and had access to health care services.

Staff considered people’s capacity using the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) as guidance. People’s capacity to make decisions had been assessed. 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 meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

Relatives felt staff were skilled to meet the needs of people and provide effective care. People and relatives remained encouraged to express their views and had completed surveys. Feedback received showed people were satisfied overall, and felt staff were friendly and helpful. Relatives said they felt listened to and any concerns or issues they raised were addressed.

Staff continued to support people to eat and drink and they were given time to eat at their own pace. People’s nutritional needs remained met and there was a good choice of food and drink.

Staff continued to feel fully supported by management to undertake their roles. Staff were given training updates, supervision and development opportunities.

The service had a relaxed and homely feel. Relatives spoke highly of the caring and respectful attitude of a consistent staff team, which we observed throughout the inspection.

People’s individual needs were assessed and care plans were developed to identify what care and support they required. Relatives continued to be consulted about their care to ensure wishes and preferences were met. Relatives and staff told us the management team continued to be approachable and professional.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The inspection was unannounced and took place on 4 November 2014.

Brookmead is a care home for people needing personal care and accommodation. It provides care for up to five people who have a learning disability and associated challenging behaviour. On the day that we visited there were four people living at the home.

During our inspection the manager was present. The manager submitted an application to be registered manager on 21 October 2014. 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.

Staff knew each person’s individual needs, traits and personalities. People were supported to access and maintain links with their local community. Support plans were in place that provided detailed information for staff on how to deliver people’s care.

The service had good systems in place to keep people safe. Staff were aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. The manager was clear about when to report concerns and the processes to be followed to inform the local authority and the Commission in order to keep people safe. Medicines were managed safely.

People were encouraged to make choices within their capacity. Risk assessments and support plans were in place that covered potential risks to people and ways to minimize these were recorded and acted upon. People were supported to access healthcare services and to maintain good health.

There were enough staff on duty to provide people with the one to one support they needed during the day in order to meet their needs. Appropriate recruitment checks were completed to ensure staff were safe to support people. Staff were sufficiently skilled and experienced to care and support people to have a good quality of life. Staff received training, supervision and appraisal that supported them to undertake their roles and to meet the needs of people.

Brookmead met the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff were kind and caring and people were treated with respect. Staff knew what people could do for themselves and what support was needed. Staff were attentive to people and we saw high levels of engagement with them.

Staff and relatives told us that management of the home was good. Regular meetings were held with staff that encouraged open and transparent communication. Staff understood the vision and values of Brookmead and the manager monitored that these were reflected in the support that people received.

The registered provider had a formal procedure for receiving and handling concerns. Complaints could be made to the manager of the service or to the registered provider. This meant people could raise their concerns with an appropriately senior person within the organisation.

Quality assurance audits were completed which helped ensure quality standards were maintained and legislation complied with. Accidents and incidents were acted upon and reviewed on an individual basis to prevent or minimise re-occurrence.

There were four people living at the home at the time of the inspection. Due to the varied levels of communication ability of people living in the home we spoke relatives and staff. We also spoke to the manager, reviewed records and observed interactions between staff and the people they were caring for.

Relatives told us that staff treated their family members with respect and dignity. We were told people were well supported with their care and treatment. We were told that people were encouraged to do activities they enjoyed. We made observations throughout the visit and saw people being offered choices as to how they wanted to spend their time.

The home's environment was maintained appropriately and maintenance issues were recorded and addressed. We observed that the home was clean and tidy. Rooms we looked at were personalised with people that used the service having their own property and possessions in their rooms. One member of staff told us the home was a, ‘good house’ and that is was, ‘well managed’.

Relatives said that the manager and staff communicated issues with them. One relative that we spoke with said they were, “very pleased with the care” provided.

At the time of the inspection there was an appointed manager in day to day charge. There was not a registered manager at the home.

The three people that we spoke with were complimentary about the care that their relatives were receiving at Brookmead.

One person said, "I can tell that my family member is very happy there, I would know if they were not. When they come home for the weekend and its time to go back to Brookmeads and we tell them they indicate to us that she is happy about this."

Another person said, "We are very pleased with the care at Brookmead, we are always kept informed about what is going on and our family member is very settled and happy there".