Lincolnshire House is a registered charity based in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, providing accommodation and personal care for up to 37 adults with physical disabilities and related conditions. The service also provides day and respite care services. Accommodation is provided in nine purpose built fully equipped bungalows, with adapted kitchens, dining rooms, lounges and bathrooms. Adaptations include overhead tracking, portable hoists, adapted bathing and showering facilities, adapted bathroom lighting, automatic key coded entrance doors and wide door access. Day services are provided in an independent fully adapted day service facility, based in the grounds of the service.

The philosophy of the service is to empower people with disabilities and this is achieved by personalised programmes of care and flexible staffing to enable people to be as independent as possible in all aspects of their lives.

This inspection took place on three days 5, 6 and 7 April 2017 and was unannounced on the first day. At the last inspection in January 2015, the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the service remained ‘Good’.

The service was safe. People told us they trusted the staff and felt very much included in decisions about their care and support. Assessments were carried out to ensure people were protected from potential harm and staff took steps to minimise risks without taking away people’s right to make decisions. Sufficient numbers of staff were available to meet people’s needs and we observed they worked together well as a team to enable people’s independence to be promoted. People’s environment and equipment was well maintained, clean and safe and free from unpleasant smells. Staff were recruited safely and regular checks were carried out to ensure they did not pose a risk to people. Staff had received training to ensure they knew how to recognise and report potential abuse. Systems and policies were in place to ensure potential risks were managed and ensure people received their medicines in a safe way.

The service was effective. Staff were provided with a range of training, development opportunities and support to enable them to meet people's needs. People were assisted to have maximum choice and control of their lives and care staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The nutritional and dietary needs of people were assessed and they were supported to plan and prepare meals, which they said they enjoyed. People's medical needs were monitored with support and guidance from a range of health care professionals whose recommendations were followed.

The service was caring. People were involved and included in decisions about the way their support was provided and their friends and relatives were welcomed by the service. People were treated with dignity and respect and staff provided their support in a kind and considerate manner. People were consulted about decisions affecting their lives and their opinions and views were valued to enable the service to learn and develop.

The service continued to be highly responsive to people’s wishes and preferences and provided their support in an individualised way that was personalised to meeting their needs. People’s views and opinions were highly valued by the service which involved them in an open and inclusive way. People participated and were involved in making decisions about their lives and their support reflected their wishes and choices and was reviewed and updated on a regular basis. People were provided with an extensive range of activities to participate in, both in house and in the local community. People who used the service spoke positively about the support they received and confirmed their comments and concerns were responded to appropriately and systems were in place to enable their feedback to be sought.

The service was well-led. The service had an open and inclusive et

The term resident is used throughout this report, as this is the way in which the people who live at Lincolnshire House prefer to be addressed.

Residents confirmed that they were asked for their consent. One resident commented, “I gave my consent to be here.”

Residents and their relatives spoke positively about the care provided. One resident told us, “It’s a marvellous place and care is great. Everything is done on a personal level, and with dignity.” A relative said, “They do one-to-one care very well.”

People were protected from the risk and spread of infection. Residents told us: ”I think it’s clean; very much so,” “Cleanliness is good. Staff come round every day to clean,” and “I think cleanliness is immaculate. When I come into my room everything is clean and tidy and the way I want it.” A relative said, “Cleanliness is spot on, you can’t fault it.”

There were effective recruitment and selection processes in place and people spoke positively about the staff that worked with them. One resident said, “The staff are fantastic.” Another resident told us, “Residents are involved in the recruitment process. Staff are all very good and it is a good induction system.” A relative said, “The staff are spot on.”

Residents we spoke with were clear about how to make a complaint. One resident said, “I haven’t got anything to complain about, but if I had I would complain to the manager. All residents are given information about complaints in a booklet on arrival.”

The term resident is used throughout this report, as this is the way in which the people who live at Lincolnshire House prefer to be addressed. Residents told us their diversity, values and human rights were respected. One resident said, “They do respect us, definitely and they do uphold our dignity.” Another resident commenting on activities, said, “They support my dignity and respect confidentiality. I sometimes go to help them with activities, if we are doing any activity. We went out to football today.” A relative said, “I know I can walk into this place anytime and find everything in order.”

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that ensured residents’ safety and welfare. Residents told us how they appreciated the way the service cared for them. One resident said, “It is good and the care is fine. This is working; it’s because the staff are so good. If I get any illnesses they help me through this. I find this place very acceptable. The care is lovely and I can’t fault it.” A relative told us, “X is supported and he gets what he likes, without them being unduly intrusive.”

Residents we spoke with said they felt safe in the home. One resident told us, “I do feel safe here, it is like my family.” Relatives confirmed that residents were safeguarded from possible abuse. One relative said, “I know he is safe.”

Residents were cared for by staff that were supported to deliver care and treatment safely. One resident said, “The staff are really nice people. They care very well.” Another resident told us, “I’ve found the staff are so helpful and you can have a laugh with them.” A relative said, “They are lovely staff. They are lucky in that they have got staff that want to be here.”

Residents were asked for their views about their care and treatment and they were acted on. One resident told us, “They ask our views and they help with questionnaires. I do go to the residents’ meetings. I can have my say there.” Another resident said, “If I’ve got any problems I go to see the managers. I attend the residents’ meetings. We do complete surveys – they are all useful.” Another resident told us, “I go to the residents meetings. They are very informative. Surveys are also done. I find this place very acceptable to live in.”

We undertook this inspection on 29 January and 2 February 2015 and the inspection was unannounced, which meant the registered provider did not know we would be visiting the service.

The service was last inspected on 10 May 2013 and was meeting all the regulations assessed during the inspection.

The registered provider is required to have a registered manager in post and on the day of the visit inspection there was a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC); they had been registered since October 2010. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care quality Commission to manage the service and ha legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the registered provider.

Lincolnshire House is a registered charity based in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, providing accommodation and personal care for up to 37 adult with physical disabilities and related conditions. The service provides residential, day and respite care services for adults with physical disabilities.

Accommodation is provided in five purpose built fully equipped bungalows, with adapted kitchens, dining rooms, lounges and bathrooms. Adaptations include overhead tracking, portable hoists, adapted bathing and showering facilities, adapted bathroom lighting, automatic key coded entrance doors and wide door access. Day services are provided in an independent fully adapted day service facility, based in the grounds of the service.

The philosophy of the service is to empower people with disabilities and this is achieved by personalised programmes of care and flexible staffing to enable people to be as independent as possible in all aspects of their lives.

People told us they felt included in decisions and discussions about their care and treatment. Staff described working together as a team to enable people to be as independent as possible.

People lived in a safe, clean odour free environment. Staff knew how to protect people from abuse and they ensured equipment used in the service was regularly checked and maintained. Staff made sure risk assessments were carried out and took steps to minimise risks without taking away people’s right to make decisions.

The registered provider had policies and systems in place to manage risks, safeguard vulnerable people from abuse and for the safe handling of medicines.

CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and to report on what we find. DoLS are a code of practice to supplement the main Mental Capacity Act 2005. These safeguards protect the rights of adults by ensuring that if there are restrictions on their freedom and liberty these are assessed by appropriately trained professionals. The registered manager had a good understanding of the MCA 2005 and DoLS legislation, and when these applied. Documentation in people’s care plans showed that when decisions had been made about a person’s care, when they lacked capacity, these had been made in the person’s best interests and had involved other professionals and advocates in the decision making process.

Recruitment practices were safe and relevant checks had been completed before staff commenced work.

People who used the service spoke positively about the care they received. People’s comments and complaints were responded to appropriately and there were systems in place to seek feedback from people and their relatives about the service provided.

People’s nutritional and dietary needs had been assessed and people were supported to plan menus and prepare meals. People told us there was a good choice of variety of food available, which they enjoyed.

The service made appropriate and timely referrals to healthcare professionals and recommendations were followed. People were able to discuss their health needs with staff and had contact with the GP and other health professionals as required.

There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staff received training and support to enable them to carry out their tasks in a skilled and confident way.