The inspection took place on 12 July 2017 and was unannounced.

Emmaus House Residential Care Home, (Emmaus House), provides accommodation and personal care for up to 26 older people, people living with dementia and people who have a physical disability. The home is in a residential area of Moresby, Whitehaven. Accommodation is provided in single bedrooms over two floors. There are a range of sitting rooms and a large dining room that people who live in the home share. The home is owned by Cumbria Emmaus Trust. Cumbria Emmaus Trust is a registered charity formed to provide residential care for older people of the Christian faith.

At our last inspection of the home in October 2014, the service was rated Good. The service was meeting the fundamental standards of quality and safety. However we found some aspects of the safety of the service required improving. One issue had not been reported to the local safeguarding authority when required and the management of medicines needed to be improved.

At this inspection in July 2017 we found the service remained Good. Medicines management had improved and people were safe and protected against abuse.

There were enough staff to provide people’s care. Robust systems were used when new staff were employed to check they were suitable to work in a care service.

People enjoyed a choice of meals and drinks. The staff were trained and competent to provide people’s care. People were supported by appropriate health care services to maintain their mental and physical health.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People agreed to the support they received and their rights were protected.

The staff were kind and caring to people. People liked the staff and enjoyed laughing and joking with them. The staff gave people the time they needed to carry out tasks themselves and to maintain their independence.

Care was planned and delivered to meet people’s needs. People were included in planning their own care and expressing what was important to them. People enjoyed a range of activities that they enjoyed and that supported their spiritual needs.

There were systems in place to ensure the effective management of the home. People were asked for their views about the service they received. The registered provider and registered manager maintained good oversight of the quality of the service to ensure people received high quality care. The registered provider was open to advice to further improve the service provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

We spoke to more than half of the people who lived in Emmaus House. We spoke to some people in the privacy of their rooms and to others in groups. We observed how people were being cared for.

We discovered that people were treated respectfully and that their consent was obtained before any care intervention.

People told us that they were happy with the way the staff team provided them with care:

"The staff are wonderful...I have no complaints."

"This is the best home in the area and I have no regrets about coming here."

"We get excellent care here..."

People received good levels of personal and health care. People who lived in the home were full of enthusiasm about the varied activities and entertainments on offer. One person said:

"I go to the services and I go out to church but I also go shopping and last week I went ten pin bowling...plenty to do here!"

The building was clean, well maintained and suitable for the needs of the people who lived there. People said:

"The house is always warm and clean and I like my room."

"It is very nice here and I like to sit in the main lounge and look out over the garden and the view..."

We found that the home had suitable equipment to help people with their mobility and to help them to get the care and support they needed.

Staff recruitment and staff disciplinary matters were dealt with appropriately.

There were up to date and detailed records kept about all aspects of the operation of the home.

One person who lived in Emmaus House summed up the delivery of care and services and the approach by saying:

"Living here is like being on a long piece of elastic. It gives you lots of freedom but stops when you over stretch yourself".

We heard about the respectful and dignified care given by the staff team. People in the home were relaxed and happy and had only positive things to say about their lives.

"We have plenty of activities ...including worship...I am well cared for and I feel I am important to the staff."

People were very complimentary about the food provided. We saw plenty of evidence to show that staff paid a lot of attention to nutrition and hydration.

Medication and health care were well managed and people got the right levels of support to keep well and comfortable.

Staffing levels were good and met the needs of the people living in the home. The staff team were skilled, knowledgeable and well supported.

The Emmaus Trust who operated the service had a detailed and effective way of monitoring quality and in ensuring good care and services were maintained.

The service had received no formal complaints but people in the service were empowered to speak up and ask for what they wanted and needed.

"I have never had to complain. All my wishes are respected. I wouldn't be afraid to speak up if I had to. In fact I am encouraged to say what I think and to make suggestions."

People in this home were very open and eager to talk about their experiences. We received nothing but positive comments and we spoke to very assertive people who were confident that their views and opinions were of value.

"You may as well go home, lass, as you won't find anything wanting in this place."

"It is wonderful...marvelous...I am so glad I came in here".

"There is nothing that could be improved on here...I wouldn't change a thing. I love it here".

"It is all extremely well managed...food, care, activities and outings. The staff are really very committed and caring which is more important than everything else".

"I am better in myself since I decided to come in...I get care and I get spiritual care too".

The inspection took place on 12 July 2017 and was unannounced.

Emmaus House Residential Care Home, (Emmaus House), provides accommodation and personal care for up to 26 older people, people living with dementia and people who have a physical disability. The home is in a residential area of Moresby, Whitehaven. Accommodation is provided in single bedrooms over two floors. There are a range of sitting rooms and a large dining room that people who live in the home share. The home is owned by Cumbria Emmaus Trust. Cumbria Emmaus Trust is a registered charity formed to provide residential care for older people of the Christian faith.

At our last inspection of the home in October 2014, the service was rated Good. The service was meeting the fundamental standards of quality and safety. However we found some aspects of the safety of the service required improving. One issue had not been reported to the local safeguarding authority when required and the management of medicines needed to be improved.

At this inspection in July 2017 we found the service remained Good. Medicines management had improved and people were safe and protected against abuse.

There were enough staff to provide people’s care. Robust systems were used when new staff were employed to check they were suitable to work in a care service.

People enjoyed a choice of meals and drinks. The staff were trained and competent to provide people’s care. People were supported by appropriate health care services to maintain their mental and physical health.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People agreed to the support they received and their rights were protected.

The staff were kind and caring to people. People liked the staff and enjoyed laughing and joking with them. The staff gave people the time they needed to carry out tasks themselves and to maintain their independence.

Care was planned and delivered to meet people’s needs. People were included in planning their own care and expressing what was important to them. People enjoyed a range of activities that they enjoyed and that supported their spiritual needs.

There were systems in place to ensure the effective management of the home. People were asked for their views about the service they received. The registered provider and registered manager maintained good oversight of the quality of the service to ensure people received high quality care. The registered provider was open to advice to further improve the service provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.