This comprehensive inspection took place on 6 July 2017. Elgin Lodge is a detached two storey property situated on the Magazine Promenade in Wallasey, facing out across the River Mersey. The home is registered to accommodate eight people and there were eight people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

The service had a manager who was registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

We last inspected the service in July 2015 and gave it an overall rating of good.

Staff were safely recruited and supported with an induction process. All staff also had regular supervision and appraisal meetings with the registered manager.

The staffing levels on the day of our inspection were sufficient to meet the needs of the people living there.

There was a positive and friendly atmosphere at the service. People got on well with each other and the staff. We observed people looking relaxed and comfortable in a homely environment.

People enjoyed and were given enough to eat and drink and a choice of suitable nutritious foods to meet their dietary needs. People chose together what they would eat and some people helped with the cooking.

Staff encouraged people to maintain their independence and supported people to enjoy their hobbies and interests.

All the documentation we looked at was well-organised and easily-accessible. People living at the service had up to date personalised care plans and risk assessments and people were involved in the process of regularly reviewing this information.

The registered manager and other staff at the service regularly checked the safety of the premises and the quality of care provided through a range of audits.

The local authority told us that it did not have any concerns about the service and that it provided a personalised and homely service to the people living there.

The local community mental health team said that staff at the service were good at recognising and appropriately acting upon changes to people's behaviour. They also explained that staff often attended appointments with people to support them, which is not very common.

Records showed that staff had received training on safeguarding vulnerable adults and there were policies and procedures in place to guide staff in relation to safeguarding adults. Staff told us that they felt people living at the service were safe. They said that they would be confident raising a concern if necessary and they believed that the registered manager would listen to any concerns and take appropriate action.

There were no people living at the service who lacked capacity or were subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). However, staff had received training on mental capacity and DoLS and there were policies and procedures in place to meet the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the associated DoLS if necessary.

Medication was correctly administered, stored and recorded. Staff had had training on safe administration of medicines and there were policies and procedures in place to support staff.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 6 July 2017. Elgin Lodge is a detached two storey property situated on the Magazine Promenade in Wallasey, facing out across the River Mersey. The home is registered to accommodate eight people and there were eight people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

The service had a manager who was registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

We last inspected the service in July 2015 and gave it an overall rating of good.

Staff were safely recruited and supported with an induction process. All staff also had regular supervision and appraisal meetings with the registered manager.

The staffing levels on the day of our inspection were sufficient to meet the needs of the people living there.

There was a positive and friendly atmosphere at the service. People got on well with each other and the staff. We observed people looking relaxed and comfortable in a homely environment.

People enjoyed and were given enough to eat and drink and a choice of suitable nutritious foods to meet their dietary needs. People chose together what they would eat and some people helped with the cooking.

Staff encouraged people to maintain their independence and supported people to enjoy their hobbies and interests.

All the documentation we looked at was well-organised and easily-accessible. People living at the service had up to date personalised care plans and risk assessments and people were involved in the process of regularly reviewing this information.

The registered manager and other staff at the service regularly checked the safety of the premises and the quality of care provided through a range of audits.

The local authority told us that it did not have any concerns about the service and that it provided a personalised and homely service to the people living there.

The local community mental health team said that staff at the service were good at recognising and appropriately acting upon changes to people's behaviour. They also explained that staff often attended appointments with people to support them, which is not very common.

Records showed that staff had received training on safeguarding vulnerable adults and there were policies and procedures in place to guide staff in relation to safeguarding adults. Staff told us that they felt people living at the service were safe. They said that they would be confident raising a concern if necessary and they believed that the registered manager would listen to any concerns and take appropriate action.

There were no people living at the service who lacked capacity or were subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). However, staff had received training on mental capacity and DoLS and there were policies and procedures in place to meet the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the associated DoLS if necessary.

Medication was correctly administered, stored and recorded. Staff had had training on safe administration of medicines and there were policies and procedures in place to support staff.

People who lived at Elgin Lodge told us:

“It is like an extended family.”

“We are all well looked after here.”

“It is a well run place.”

“It is a settled household.”

We saw that people were very relaxed in their environment and were free to spend time in the lounge with others or to be in their own room. People were able to go out without staff support. All parts of the home were clean, tidy and well maintained. People’s bedrooms were furnished and decorated to their taste. Services and equipment were tested and serviced regularly.

People who lived at Elgin Lodge did not require support with personal care, but staff may prompt or encourage people to maintain their personal hygiene and appearance. People's needs were recorded in detail in their care plans and the care plans we looked at included information about the person's family, past employment and psychiatric history, and records of medical appointments. Risk assessments and care plans were written for any areas of need identified. The plans had been signed by the person and had been reviewed regularly.

The home had a small team of staff who had good knowledge of the support needs of the people living at the home and had relevant qualifications.

A complaints procedure was in place and any issues were discussed at monthly house meetings.

One of the people who lived at Elgin Lodge told us “this is a lovely place to live”. In the future he would like to have his own flat but he was happy to say at Elgin Lodge until then. He said “All the staff work very hard. The food is lovely. We have a good time and all get on well.”

Another person told us that he could go out anytime he wanted to. If people went out in an evening they usually got back by 10pm so as not to disturb others, but they could ask for a key if they wished to stay out later.

We read feedback that had been received on recent questionnaires. One person wrote ‘It is very reassuring to know that my relative is so well cared for in every respect and that he is content and happy.’ Another person commented on ‘a fantastically run house and home’.

The following comment was made on a survey form:

‘Excellent care given and residents’ needs are always primary and attended to regardless of complexity and time needed to fulfil. Would thoroughly recommend as a professional mental health practitioner.’