Orchid is registered to provide accommodation with personal care for up to four people who have a learning disability. There were four people living at the service on the day of our inspection.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

The service was safe. The registered provider had thorough recruitment procedures which ensured that only suitable staff were employed. There were enough staff to help keep people safe, meet their needs and protect them from harm and abuse. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were appropriately assessed, managed and reviewed. People received their medicines as prescribed.

The service was effective. People were supported by staff that had the skills and experience needed to provide effective care. The registered manager understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People were supported to eat and drink enough, maintain a balanced diet and to access health and social care services when required.

The service was caring. Staff knew people exceptionally well and were kind and sensitive to their needs. Staff were observed providing excellent personalised care and support and it was evident they clearly understood people’s individual needs. Staff ensured people’s privacy and dignity was respected and maintained at all times.

The service was responsive. Care plans were person centred and were regularly reviewed. People were encouraged and actively supported by staff to pursue their interests and hobbies. The service had a clear process in place for dealing with complaints.

The service was well-led. Staff, relatives and healthcare professionals were complimentary about management who were committed to providing an excellent person centred service, enabling and empowering people to have a good quality of life. There were systems in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of the service provided and people living and working in the service had the opportunity to say how they felt about the home and the service it provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

This inspection took place on 10 August 2015.

Orchid is registered to provide accommodation with personal care for four people who have a learning disability. There were three people living at the service on the day of our inspection.

A registered manager was 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.

Up to date guidance about protecting people’s rights had not always been followed so as to support decisions made on a people’s behalf. Staff were knowledgeable about identifying abuse and how to report it to safeguard people. Risk management plans were in place to support people to have as much independence as possible while keeping them safe.

Staff were appointed after checks were completed to ensure they were of suitable character to look after the people they supported. There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs and support people individually.

People received their prescribed medicines and these were safely stored. People were provided with nutritious food that they enjoyed and they were given the help they needed to eat and drink well. People were supported to gain access to health professionals and services that they needed.

Staff felt well supported and had received the training needed to do their job well. People were well cared for by kind and caring staff who treated them with dignity and respect. Staff took time to communicate with people living in the service in a way that people were able to accept and benefit from. Visitors were welcomed and relationships were supported.

People’s care was planned and reviewed with them or the person acting on their behalf. This made sure that people’s preferences were included and that staff had information on how best to meet people’s needs. People were supported to participate in social activities including community based outings.

People felt able to raise any complaints and were sure they would be listened to. Information to help them to make a complaint was readily available.

The service was well led; people knew the manager and found them to be approachable and available in the service. People living and working in the service had the opportunity to say how they felt about the home and the service it provided. Their views were listened to and actions were taken in response. The provider and registered manager had basic systems in place to check on the quality and safety of the service provided and to put actions plans in place where needed.