About the service: Dean House is a residential care home in an adapted building in a quiet residential area of Torquay. It was providing accommodation and personal care to 13 people with learning disabilities at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service:

People told us they were safe and happy in the home. Staff were kind and caring and went over and above what was expected of them. People were treated with dignity, and respect was a key value embedded in the running of the home.

People were protected by robust safeguarding systems and staff were confident in how to spot abuse and what it might look like for people they supported.

Staff underwent checks to ensure they were safe to work with people. There was regular, in depth supervision provided to staff and opportunities for informal support from the registered manager for day to day issues.

There were adequate staffing numbers to meet people’s needs. Staff had time to talk with people. Staffing levels were flexible based on need and what people wanted to do. Staff members were all long-serving and agency staff were not used. This meant good continuity of care for people.

People had a range of healthy food options and were given opportunities to access exercise in the local community. We saw evidence of positive health outcomes, with one person losing weight and improving their mobility.

People chose what they ate, what they wore and how they spent their day. People had choice and control over their lives and had input into the running of the home.

Staff and people living in the home were provided with training and were knowledgeable in best practice care. Information was available in accessible formats, on display where appropriate in people’s rooms, in communal areas and in care files.

The registered manager was passionate about providing high quality care and checked different aspects of the care provision regularly to ensure high standards were being maintained.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control in their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Risks associated with people were assessed, communicated to staff and mitigated. We saw evidence risks were discussed with people and families.

Rating at last inspection: This service has not yet been rated under the current provider.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection; we had no previous concerns about this service.

Follow up: We will maintain regular contact with the service to see how they are doing and have signposted them for further support if they require it.