Cockington House is a residential home that provides care for up to six people who have a learning disability or other mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection there were five people living in the home. At the last inspection, in May 2015, the service was rated Good, however it was rated Requires Improvement for Well-led question. At this inspection we found improvements had been made in the well-led question which resulted in the rating for that question being changed to Good. The overall rating for the service remained as Good.

People continued to receive safe care and the risks to people’s safety were continually assessed and reviewed. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff in place to support people. People medicines continued to be managed safely and effectively.

Staff received a detailed induction and training programme. Refresher training had been booked for those staff that needed it. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) were used when decisions were made for people who lacked mental capacity to make specific decisions for themselves. Some best interest documentation required more detail. People were supported to lead a healthy lifestyle and where needed to lose or to gain weight. People’s day to day health needs were met by the staff.

People and staff enjoyed each other’s company and staff treated people with respect, dignity and compassion. There was a calm and positive atmosphere within the home, with people encouraged to do as much for themselves as possible. People’s independence was encouraged. People were provided with information about health services and their own care needs in a format they could understand. There were no restrictions on people’s friends or relatives visiting them.

People’s care records were detailed and personalised which enabled staff to support people in line with their personal preferences. Staff used a variety of methods to communicate effectively with people. People were provided with an ‘easy read’ complaints process that supported people who had a learning disability to understand. Effective systems were in place to manage any complaints that the provider may receive.

The service was now well-led. The new registered manager had made improvements since the last inspection. The registered manager was well liked by all and they carried out their role enthusiastically and professionally. There was a positive ethos and an open culture at the home resulting in an enjoyable working environment for staff, and a calm and friendly atmosphere for people living there. People and staff were encouraged to contribute to the development of the service and effective auditing processes were in place to monitor the quality of the service.

This inspection took place on 19 May 2015 and was unannounced. Cockington House provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with a learning disability. On the day of our inspection five people were using the service.

The service has not had a registered manager since May 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.

People told us they felt safe living at the care home. Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from the risk of abuse and had taken action following any incidents to try and reduce the risks of incidents happening again. People received their medicines as prescribed and they were safely stored.

People were supported by a sufficient number of staff and staffing levels were flexible to meet people’s needs. Effective recruitment procedures were operated to ensure staff were safe to work with vulnerable adults.

Staff were provided with the knowledge and skills to care for people effectively and staff felt supported by the manager. People received support from health care professionals when needed.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We found this legislation was being used correctly to protect people who were not able to make their own decisions about the care they received. We also found staff were aware of the principles within the MCA and how this might affect the care they provided to people.

People had access to sufficient quantities of food and drink and were able to choose the food they wanted. People told us they enjoyed the food and there were different choices available.

Positive and caring relationships had been developed between people and staff. People were able to be involved in making choices about their care and told us they were able to make day to day decisions. People were treated with dignity and respect by staff and their privacy was respected.

People were provided with care that was responsive to their changing needs and personal preferences. Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible. People’s hobbies and interests were catered for and further work was on-going to improve the way in which people’s social needs were met. People felt able to make a complaint and told us they knew how to do so.

Records relating to people who used the service and staff were not always accurate or fully up to date. The manager could not demonstrate that people and their relatives were given the opportunity to provide their opinions about the quality of the service.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and the manager was aware of where improvements to the service were required. There was an open and honest culture in the home.