This inspection took place on 27 January 2017 and was unannounced. Faro Lodge is a care home providing respite care for up to six people who live with a learning disability. On the day of our visit six people were staying at the home.

The home has had the current registered manager in post since November 2013. 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.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. People were able to leave the home when this wished, although assessments had not been made to determine if formal DoLS applications needed to be made. Where someone lacked capacity to make their own decisions, mental capacity formal assessments had not been completed, although information was available in care records.

Staff were aware of safeguarding people from the risk of abuse and they knew how to report concerns to the relevant agencies. They assessed individual risks to people and took action to reduce or remove them. There was adequate servicing and maintenance checks to fire equipment and systems in the home to ensure people’s safety.

People were safe staying at the home and staff supported them in a way that they preferred. There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs and the registered manager took action to obtain additional staff when there were sudden shortages. Recruitment checks for new staff members had been made before new staff members started work to make sure they were safe to work within care.

People received their medicines when they needed them, and staff members who administered medicines had been trained to do this safely. Staff members received other training, which provided them with the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles. Staff received adequate support from the registered manager and senior staff, which they found helpful.

People were able to choose what they ate and drank, and staff knew what people’s individual dietary preferences were. They received enough food and drink to meet their needs. Staff members had information about health professionals so that people could receive advice and treatment quickly if needed.

People and visitors were highly complimentary about how staff cared for people. Staff were caring, kind, respectful and courteous. Staff members knew people well, what they liked and how they wanted to be treated. They responded to people’s needs well and support was always available. Care plans contained enough information to support individual people with their needs. People liked going to stay at the home and staff supported them to be as independent as possible.

A complaints procedure was available and people knew how to and who to go to, to make a complaint. The registered manager was supportive and approachable, and people or other staff members could speak with them at any time.

Good leadership was in place and the registered manager and provider monitored care and other records to assess the risks to people and ensure that these were reduced as much as possible and to improve the quality of the care provided.

This inspection was carried out on 17 November 2014 and was announced.

This is a specialised service that provides respite care and accommodation for up to six people who have a learning disability. It is not registered to provide nursing care. This home has 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People we spoke with felt safe and secure in the home. Visiting family members also confirmed this. They told us they felt that all staff made people comfortable and supported their safely at all times. They were confident their family member was safe and well looked after.

The staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported and had been trained in safeguarding people. They knew what signs to look for regarding any poor treatment and knew who to report this to.

Staff were supported with an induction programme on commencement of employment and also continued training. The knowledge required by staff on the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) was evident.

People who required special meals, supplemented diets or special eating aids were supported appropriately by staff who had gathered information on people’s likes, dislikes and dietary requirements when the person was admitted into the home. There was a choice of meals available at each meal time.

If health care support was needed, people were referred to the local doctor and district nurse as was necessary. Any subsequent advice and support then provided was followed by members of staff to promote the health of people.

Staff spoke and behaved in a respectful, kind and caring way. Relatives told us that the staff were always very caring and knew their jobs.

The home supported people to undertake any activities they liked. People also had the opportunity to be involved in the local community when they wanted. People who from time to time preferred their own company were supported by staff to maintain this routine.

The relatives assured us that any concerns or complaints would be acted upon quickly and efficiently. Regular meetings were held with people and their relatives to discuss ideas and make changes as and when required.

The manager had sent out a questionnaire to ask for people’s views on the quality of the service provided. Audits were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided.

You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

The person we spoke with during our inspection was positive about the care and support they received. They told us that they were, "Happy here," and that Faro Lodge was, “Marvellous.”

All four relatives of people using the service we spoke with were also complimentary about the service. A relative told us that, "The staff and environment (at Faro Lodge) are brilliant.” They went on to tell us that they were kept informed of what was happening to their family member by the provider as communication was, “Good.”

We looked at three people's care records and found that they contained detailed information and guidance to enable staff to deliver individual, safe care and support.

When reviewing medication administration records (MAR) charts, we saw documented evidence of accurate medication administration by staff members.

Effective staff recruitment was in place to make sure that people using the service received safe care and support from suitable and knowledgeable staff.

There was an effective system in place for people using the service, their relatives and visitors to raise a concern or complaint if they wished to do so.