This was an announced inspection carried out on the 29 March 2017.

Cedar Lodge provides accommodation and personal care for up to nine adults with learning disabilities or autism. The home is accessible for wheelchair users and is in a rural area on the border of Herefordshire and Shropshire. At the time our inspection there were five people using the service.

This service had not been previously inspected.

At the time of the inspection there was no registered manager in place at Cedar Lodge, as they had recently left the service. 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. A new manager had been appointed and was present throughout the inspection visit.

Both relatives, professionals and staff raised concerns regarding the continuity of registered managers. Since registration with CQC in June 2015, there had been three registered managers appointed to Cedar Lodge. The provider acknowledged people’s concerns about the turnover of managers, however expressed confidence with the new manager in delivering continuity and stability.

People told us they felt safe living at Cedar Lodge.

People’s safety and well-being had been assessed by the provider and risk assessments were in place to minimise any risks and keep them safe. People told us they had been fully consulted and involved in determining the nature of the risk and the action required by staff.

The provider ensured there were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs.

The provider carried out appropriate checks when recruiting new staff. Checks included their identity, previous employment history and at least two character references. The provider undertook a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for each member of staff before they started working with people.

Where the provider administered people’s medicines, people told us they received their medicines when they need them.

People told us they felt staff were professional and, well trained to undertake their roles. Staff told us the training they received enabled them to have the right skills and knowledge to support people.

The provider understood and protected people’s rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and confirmed they had received training.

People were supported to access healthcare from other professionals.

People were supported to maintain healthy diets and were assessed for their nutrition and hydration needs.

People received care and support that took into account their specific needs and preferences. People told us they were actively involved in the care they or their relative received.

Staff promoted people’s independence and always respected their wishes. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported, which enabled them to provide a personalised and responsive service.

People and their relatives told us that staff supported them to pursue their interests, and had organised weekly schedules to follow.

The provider had systems in place to seek out people’s views and experiences of their care, and address any concerns or complaints they may have. People told us they knew how to make a formal complaint as they had been provided with the relevant information from the provider.

The provider promoted an open and inclusive culture within the service. People and staff found the management team approachable and willing to listen.

The provider monitored the quality of the service by a variety of methods, including checks and feedback from people and their families.