This inspection was carried out on 30 January 2018 and was unannounced.

At the last inspection, the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Heron House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Heron House provides accommodation and personal care to up to five people who might need support with their mental health or may be living with a learning disability. There were five people living at the service when we inspected.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

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 had identified goals they wanted to achieve and had been supported to achieve these. People were able to follow their hobbies, attend higher education and meet friends and family.

People were supported by enough trained staff who knew how to recognise abuse and discrimination. Staff had been recruited safely. Staff knew people well and the support they needed, there was an open and transparent culture within the service. There was mutual trust and respect between people and staff. People’s privacy and dignity was respected. People and staff were seen as equal with everyone’s views being respected.

People’s support plans gave staff clear guidance about how to support people in the way they preferred. Support plans were reviewed regularly with people and their representatives to ensure everyone received the right support. People’s support plans and other records were held securely and people had been asked how they would like to be supported at the end of their life.

The premises suited people’s needs. People were involved in cooking their meals and encouraged to choose the meals they wanted. People received their medicines when they needed them and to attend healthcare appointments to stay as healthy as possible. People were involved in making decisions about the service. Staff managed potential risks to people so they were not restricted. People were encouraged to lead healthy lives and were supported to enjoy swimming and walking.

The registered manager was experienced and skilled at supporting people with learning disabilities. The registered manager and staff had a clear vision for the service and worked as a team to ensure people received the support they needed. Audits and checks were completed, shortfalls were identified and rectified to continuously improve the service. People knew how to complain. Any complaints, accidents and incidents were reviewed and lessons learnt.

The building had been adapted to meet people’s needs and people were able to decorate their rooms as they wanted. People were supported to keep their home clean and complete household tasks.

The registered manager had notified the Care Quality Commission of events that were reportable.

The rating of ‘Good’ was displayed at the service and on the provider website.

People who used the service told us what it was like to live at this service and described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care.

People said that they were happy with the care and support they received and that their needs were being met in all areas. They said that the staff treated them with respect, listened to them and supported them to raise any concerns they had about their care. People told us that the service responded to their health needs quickly and that the manager talked to them regularly about their plan of care and any changes that may be needed.

Many comments received were complimentary of the service. One person who used the service said “I like it here” another said “We go out with staff and do many things, like doing my own shopping. I love it here. Staff help me with my money and cooking”. Other people were complimentary of the food and had no concerns re the quality of care. Another said “Staff help me a lot, with my money and things. I am happy here”.

We spoke with most of the people living in the home and also observed the interactions between the people and staff. People talked to us about their lifestyle and interests and how they were supported to pursue them. They said they were learning new skills to become more independent. One person said they really enjoyed art activities and was painting posters for the planned Christmas party.

People received support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They were supported to attend health care checks and community health professionals were involved to provide advice and support when needed. People were supported to express their views and make important decisions because the staff supported them with their communication and spent time with them. People said they felt safe and there were systems in place to make sure people were protected from abuse.

The home was spacious, airy and well maintained. People had their own personal space and could also spend time with each other in the communal parts of the home.

There were plenty of staff to support the people using the service. Staff said they enjoyed working at the home and said they were well supported by the manager.

Heron House was inspected on 12 and 13 August 2015. The inspection was unannounced. The service provides accommodation for persons who require personal care for up to five people with learning disabilities. There are communal spaces which include a lounge, dining room and kitchen. People have access to the garden.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

People were protected from bullying and avoidable harm. Staff were up to date with safeguarding training and knew how to report abuse. People, who could, told us that they were safe.

People's care and support needs were assessed and reviewed with them. Any personal risks were identified when people moved into the service and these assessments were on-going. People had the opportunity to be as involved as they wanted to be in their assessments and in the planning of their care. Care needs were regularly reviewed, so that staff were able to manage risks and support people in ways that suited them best.

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There had been no incidents or accidents since our last inspection. The registered manager confirmed that previous accidents had been analysed to look for patterns or trends and action had been taken to minimise the likelihood of them reoccurring.

The provider had safe recruitment and selection processes in place to make sure that staff employed at the service were of good character. There were enough staff with the skills knowledge and experience to meet people’s needs safely. Staff were supported to develop their skills and knowledge by receiving training and supervision which helped them to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. Staff had access to specialist training in order to meet individual people’s needs.

People were asked for their consent in ways they could understand before care was delivered and staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The registered manager was aware of a recent Supreme Court Judgement which widened and clarified the definition of a deprivation of liberty. The service was meeting the requirements of the DoLS. The registered manager understood when an application should be made and how to submit one.

People were encouraged to follow a healthy diet. People were asked about their dietary requirements and were regularly consulted about their food preferences. People had regular access to the doctor, dentist and optician and had an annual health check. Healthcare professionals, including GPs, nurses, speech and language therapists and dieticians, had been consulted as required. People’s medicines were stored and managed safely.

Staff felt valued and supported by the registered manager. Communication between staff took place through regular meetings and handovers between each shift. At staff meetings any changes in people’s needs were discussed.

People were treated with respect and dignity. Staff spoke with and supported people in a caring, respectful and professional manner. People’s diversity was recognised and encouraged in that individuals were supported to follow their beliefs and to live the life they chose.

People were included in decisions about the planning of their care. Staff supported people to be as independent as they could be, and their privacy was respected. There were no restrictions on people having visitors.

People told us that they knew where their care plans were and were able to look at them when they wanted to. Care plans included details about the person’s favourite activities, people who were important to them and their likes and dislikes. People’s care was regularly reviewed.

There had been no complaints at the service since the last inspection. There was an easy read complaints procedure available to people. People said that there were regular meetings to make sure their views about the service were heard.

People, visitors, staff and relatives were asked for their opinions about the service. This information was used to develop and improve the service.

Quality assurance systems were in place. Audits and health and safety checks were regularly carried out. The manager and staff were aware of their accountability and responsibility in meeting the requirements of legislation. Systems were in place to monitor the quality of service and action had been taken to address any shortfalls, discrepancies or issues that were highlighted.