Iceni Lodge provides residential accommodation, as a short break service, for people who have a learning disability. A number of people use this service on a regular basis but only two people can stay overnight at any given time. One person was present at the service during this inspection.

The service had 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.

Identified risks to people’s safety were recorded on an individual basis and there was guidance for staff to be able to know how to support people safely and effectively. Risk assessments explained any action that was required to remove or minimise any identified risks. However, not all identified risks were mitigated in a timely way.

Medicines were mostly managed and administered safely and people received their medicines as prescribed. However, some relevant paperwork for one person’s ‘as required’ medicines was missing at the time of this inspection.

We identified a shortfall with regard to formal audits and monitoring the quality of the service provided. However, the registered manager assured us that they would implement these systems as soon as possible. The new team leader was also in the process of improving records and monitoring practice in the home.

The service had processes in place to help ensure people using the service were safe. Staff knew how to recognise signs of possible abuse and knew the correct procedures for reporting concerns. There were enough well trained staff to support people and appropriate recruitment checks were carried out before staff began working in the service.

People were supported effectively by staff who were well trained, skilled and knowledgeable in their work. All new members of staff completed an induction and staff were supported well by the manager.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and to report on what we find. The manager and staff understood and followed the requirements of the MCA.

People had enough to eat and drink and enjoyed their meals. Staff were caring and attentive. People were treated with respect and staff preserved people’s dignity. People were involved in planning their care and received support that was individual to their needs. People were also encouraged and supported to be as independent as possible and enjoyed activities and hobbies of their choice.

People using the service and their families were supported to raise any concerns or make a complaint if needed. Any concerns were listened to with appropriate responses and action taken where possible. Communication between the manager, staff, people using the service and their families was frequent and effective.

The service was mostly well run and people’s needs were being met appropriately. Incidents and accidents were recorded and analysed to minimise future recurrences. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities in terms of informing CQC of any notifiable events. Necessary checks of the environment were regularly carried out and any problems were rectified within a reasonable timescale.