This inspection took place on 14 March 2017 and was unannounced. Our last inspection took place in January 2016 and at that time we found the home was not meeting one of the regulations we looked at. This related to safe care and treatment. This inspection was therefore carried out to see what improvements had been made since the last inspection. At this inspection we found the provider had made improvement in the required area.

Daisy Vale House provides care for up to 16 people who have a learning disability. The service had a manager who has been at the home for two months and is currently going through the Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration process. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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.

During the inspection there was a happy, friendly atmosphere and people were relaxed in the company of staff and others they lived with. People who used the service as well as staff told us they were happy living and working in the home.

Staff we spoke with said they felt supported in their role and received training to help them understand how to do their job well. We saw systems for ensuring staff received regular supervision were in place. Training records showed staff completed many training packages and systems for checking staff knowledge were in place. The provider had arrangements for making decisions in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in that people were encouraged to make decisions and when they required assistance they were provided with support. People had good meal experiences and enjoyed the food. Systems were in place that ensured people accessed appropriate healthcare services.

People told us they received a good standard of care and felt respected. They also said their independence was promoted. People who used the service looked well cared for; their personal appearance was well maintained, for example, people’s hair was brushed, and their clothing and glasses were clean. Staff knew people and their needs well, and treated people with respect and dignity. When we looked around the service we saw there was information available to help keep people informed about their rights and what to expect when they experienced care at Daisy Vale.

People who used the service and their relatives told us they felt involved in planning their care. Care plans identified how to support people with personal care, rights and consents, medication, continence and communication. People were encouraged to engage in different group and individual activity sessions. A procedure was in place to respond to concerns and complaints. Several written compliments had been received.

During the inspection we received very positive feedback about the manager and were told they were making definite improvements to the service. Regular meetings were held, and in the last few weeks the frequency of meetings had increased which ensured communication within the service was effective.

This inspection took place on 5 January 2016 and was unannounced. At the last inspection in November 2013 we found the provider was meeting the regulations we looked at.

Daisy Vale House provides care for up to 16 people who have a learning disability. The service had a registered manager. 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.

During the inspection there was a happy, friendly atmosphere and people were relaxed in the company of staff and others they lived with. People who used the service and staff told us they were happy living and working in the home. People were involved in menu planning and enjoyed the meals.

People’s care and support needs were generally assessed and there was lots of information about how support should be provided, however, there were gaps in support plans, and some health action plans required updating and capacity assessments were sometimes generalised which could result in people’s needs being overlooked. A range of professionals were involved to help make sure people stayed healthy although they did not always access community health services so choice and opportunity were limited.

People were well cared for. Staff knew people well and understood their likes and dislikes. There were enough staff to keep people safe although an additional member of staff was being employed to make sure everyone benefitted from person centred activities.

Staff were skilled and experienced to meet people’s needs because they received appropriate training and support. Staff dealt with situations calmly, discreetly and confidently. Situations were diffused and passed without incident.

People told us they felt safe. The provider had systems in place to protect people from the risk of harm and staff understood how to keep people safe. We identified potential risks with how medicines were being managed and the provider responded swiftly and took action to make sure appropriate arrangements were put in place.

The service had good management and leadership. People who used the service and staff were encouraged to put forward suggestions and ideas. The registered manager was working with everyone to develop the service and ensure high quality standards. People were made aware of how to make a complaint but had no concerns about their care. They said they would talk to staff or management if they had any problems and felt they would be listened to.

We found a breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) regulations 2014. You can see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Everyone we spoke with said the home provided a good service and they didn't have any concerns about the quality of care and support.

People told us they could make decisions about their care and support. One person said, “I decide what I’m doing and tell the staff so they know. When I’m going to be late for my meals I just let them know.” Another person said, “My keyworker writes things down when we talk and I sign my own name.” Another person said, “I tell the staff what I want.” Another person told us staff and other professionals had talked to them and helped them make decisions.

Staff said people received support which was planned to make sure it met their individual circumstances and systems were in place to make sure other professionals were involved when appropriate.

People who used the service, staff and visitors were protected against the risks of unsafe premises. Several people showed us their rooms; these were personalised. They said they had chosen their furniture and furnishings. One person said, “I put all my certificates up on my wall.”

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. People said they received support at appropriate times. One person said, “The staff are kind.” Another person said, “The staff will take me out when I want to go. “

We looked at a number of records which showed regular checks were carried out to help make sure people who used the service benefitted from safe quality care.

We spoke with four people who told us; “There are things to do.” One person said; “I go out for lunch at the pub.” Another person told us they had a job and had recently won “employee of the month.” People said they attended social clubs and that they were going on a barge and caravan trip in the coming months. Some residents told us they had trips away planned with their families.

People were positive about the level of support they received from staff. One person told us; “I like living here.” Another person said they felt supported by staff and that staff had taken the time to help them improve their reading and writing. This person also informed us that they were aware of their care record and regularly discussed this with their key worker. People were happy with the staff. One person said; “The staff are first class.”

People told us they had a choice regarding the food they ate. People said they had a takeaway once a week, if they wished, and could choose what they wanted to have. One person said; “I like the food.” Another person told us; “The food is good.” People we spoke with said they were able to help themselves to food and drink from the kitchen.

The manager was on leave on the date of the visit. We therefore spoke to the acting manager on the day of the visit.