This inspection took place on 4 December 2018. The inspection was unannounced.

This was the first time Mereside Residential Care Home had been inspected under its current registration. The home had previously been registered under a different provider and had a different registered manager.

Mereside Residential Home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The home provides accommodation with personal care for up to 15 people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. It does not provide nursing care. At the time of our visit 15 people lived at the home. Accommodation is provided in a three-storey adapted building. The home is located in Solihull, West Midlands.

The care 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 and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The service had 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People felt safe living at the home. The provider’s staff recruitment systems reduced the risk of unsuitable staff being recruited. There were enough staff available to provide the care and support people needed inside and outside the home, and to keep them safe.

The registered manager and staff understood how to protect people from abuse and their responsibilities to report any concerns. Staff received an induction into the organisation, and a programme of on-going training enabled them to meet people's needs effectively. Staff also received management support through daily contact and regular individual and team meetings.

Risks to people’s safety were identified and staff mostly provided good support to reduce identified risks. Risk management recommendations made by a health care professional were not clearly documented or consistently followed. Prompt action was taken to address this.

Care records were personalised to ensure care and support was provided in line with people’s individual needs, life style choices and preferences. People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in planning and reviewing people’s care.

The management team and staff worked in partnership with other professionals to support people to maintain their health and well-being. Staff supported people to make healthy lifestyle choices and to maintain a balanced diet. People and relatives spoke highly of staff who they felt were caring, kind and friendly.

The registered manager had made improvements to the systems and process used to monitor the quality and safety of the service. However, these checks and audits were not always accurate and effective. Action was being taken to address this. People and relatives were invited to share their views about the home and feedback was used to support continuous improvement.

The provider was working within the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Staff gained people’s consent before they supported people and respected people’s decisions and choices.

Care was delivered in a way which responded to people’s needs and respected their privacy and dignity. The management team and staff understood the importance of promoting equality an