We undertook an unannounced inspection on 5 April 2018 of Montbelle Road. Montbelle Road 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 service accommodates up to five people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of the inspection, three people were using the service.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission [CQC] 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.

At the last inspection on 15 February 2016, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People's health and social care needs had been appropriately assessed. Care plans were person-centred, and specific to each person and their needs. Care preferences were documented and staff we spoke with were aware of people's likes and dislikes. Care plans were regularly reviewed and were updated when people's needs changed.

Systems and processes were in place to help protect people from the risk of harm. Staff had received training in safeguarding adults and knew how to recognise and report any concerns or allegations of abuse. Risks to people were identified and managed so that people were safe.

Systems were in place to make sure people received their medicines safely.

Staff had been carefully recruited and provided with induction and training to enable them to support people effectively. They had the necessary support, supervision and appraisals from the management team.

The home operated within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were supported to have 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 were supported with their nutritional and hydration needs. Staff were aware of people’s dietary requirements and the support they needed with their food and drink.

Procedures were in place for receiving, handling and responding to comments and complaints. We saw evidence that complaints had been dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner.

Staff told us that they received up to date information about the service and had an opportunity to share good practice and any concerns they had at team meetings. Staff spoke positively about working for the service.

The quality of the service was monitored and regular audits had been carried out by management. There were systems in place to make necessary improvements when needed.

This inspection was carried out on 15 February 2016 and was unannounced. Montbelle Road provides care and accommodation for up to five people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of this inspection four people were using the service.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 using the service and a relative told us they were safe and that staff treated them well. Safeguarding adult’s procedures were robust and staff understood how to safeguard the people they supported from abuse. There was a whistle-blowing procedure available and staff said they would use it if they needed to. Appropriate recruitment checks took place before staff started work. Risks to people were assessed and support plans and risk assessments provided clear information and guidance for staff on how to meet people’s needs. Medicines were managed appropriately and people received their medicines as prescribed by health care professionals.

Staff had completed training specific to the needs of the people they supported and they received regular supervision and annual appraisals of their work performance. People were provided with sufficient amounts of nutritional food and drink to meet their needs. People had access to a GP and other health care professionals when they needed them. The manager and staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and acted according to this legislation.

People were provided with appropriate information about the home. This ensured they were aware of the standard of care they should expect. People and their relatives, where appropriate, had been involved in planning for their care needs. People were aware of the complaints procedure and said they were confident their complaints would be fully investigated and action taken if necessary.

The provider recognised the importance of regularly monitoring the quality of the service provided to people. Staff said they enjoyed working at the service and they received good support from the manager. They said the purpose of the service was to improve people’s ability to live independently and provide care and support that met people’s needs and wishes. There was an out of hours on call system in operation that ensured management support and advice was always available when staff needed it.

People using the service we spoke with told us they liked living at Montbelle Road and were happy there. They said they liked the food and could get snacks and drinks whenever they wanted. One person said; “I stay slim. The staff help me.” They also told us they would tell a member of staff or their family if anything happened to them that they did not like. We observed staff supporting people in a considered and thoughtful way and there was plenty of laughter and fun during our visit. People using the service were actively involved in the life of the home, such as answering the phone and preparing dinner, and were supported to pursue their own interests.

We found the provider acted in accordance with people’s wishes and that it supported people to make decisions in their best interests. People using the service were protected from abuse and were supported to maintain a healthy diet. The provider had checks in place to ensure people were cared for and supported by suitable staff and that the service was of good quality.

We spoke with three members of staff and three people who use the service. People were encouraged to contribute to their support plans and set goals that were personal to them. We saw that people engaged in a wide range of activities in the community and were encouraged to develop independent living skills.

We observed staff responding to people's needs in a respectful and sensitive manner. People's cultural and spiritual needs were recorded in their support plans and we saw that people were supported to attend places of worship if they wished to do so.

We saw in the daily records that people were encouraged to engage in indoor activities whilst at home. For example, staff played board games and did puzzles with people during the evenings and people had entertainment such as televisions, music, computers and a darts board in their bedrooms. We observed positive interactions between staff and the people living in the home and people told us they felt well cared for.

The home was well maintained, clean and warm at the time of our visit. Three people showed us their bedrooms which were personalised and each person told us they liked their room.

There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs effectively and duty rosters were organised to ensure that people were able to engage in the activities they liked doing.

There was an effective complaints management system in place and the complaints procedure was in a suitable pictorial format.