This unannounced inspection took place on 6 July 2017. It was our first inspection of this service under the current registered provider. A different registered provider used to operate the service.

Oakleigh House is a care home for up to five people that specialises in the care and support of people with mental health conditions. There were no vacancies when we inspected.

The service had a registered manager, which 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.

We found the service to not be consistently well-led. Quality auditing processes had not identified some records omissions and inaccuracies, including for medicines and staff records. Two records had been altered to indicate meetings took place more recently than was the case. A required staff reference had not been acquired. This did not help to ensure service-delivery risks were minimised.

People told us they liked living at the service and that it supported them well. Community health and social care professionals praised the service’s abilities to help people to develop. The service liaised very well with community healthcare professionals in support of people’s health and welfare needs.

The service was effective at improving people’s quality of life. There was emphasis on encouraging people to talk about any concerns, to keep occupied, and to focus on developing independent living skills. There was also good emphasis on supporting people with health and nutritional needs.

Consistent staffing, the small size of the service and its involving approach helped to foster a strong ‘family atmosphere.’ People were involved in making decisions about their care, and their independence was promoted whilst maintaining good care and support where needed. People were listened to, which helped improve the service and their experience of it.

The registered manager ensured a positive and empowering culture was in place for people using the service and staff. There was good liaison with other agencies in support of this and for improving care practices.

People’s privacy was respected and promoted. They were supported to maintain contact with friends and family where wanted.

People were protected by risk management and safeguarding approaches at the service. There were enough experienced staff working who were well-trained and gained skills relevant to people’s needs. People received their medicines as prescribed.