Rutland Road Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The care home provides accommodation and care for up to five people living with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection five people were living in the home.

At our last inspection we rated the service 'good'. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of 'good' and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were safe because there were effective risk assessments in place, and systems to keep them safe from abuse or harm. There was sufficient numbers of staff to support people safely. Staff took appropriate precautions to ensure people were protected from the risk of acquired infections. People’s medicines were managed safely, and there was evidence of learning from incidents.

People’s needs had been assessed and they had care plans that took account of their individual needs, preferences, and choices. Staff had regular supervision and they had been trained to meet people’s individual needs effectively. The requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were being met, and staff understood their roles and responsibilities to seek people’s consent prior to care and support being provided. People had been supported to have enough to eat and drink to maintain their health and wellbeing. They were also supported to access healthcare services.

People were supported by caring, friendly and respectful staff. They were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, and the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff regularly reviewed the care provided to people with their input to ensure that this continued to meet their individual needs, in a person-centred way. The provider had an effective system to handle complaints and concerns. People had a choice about the care they wanted at the end of their lives.

The registered manager provided stable leadership and effective support to the staff. People, relatives and staff feedback was listened to and improvements made in a timely way. The provider had effective quality monitoring systems in place to ensure that they consistently provided a service that was safe, effective, compassionate and of good quality.

People said they liked living at Rutland Road Care Home. They told us the home was close to the town centre which they liked. On the day we visited, one person was going to the local driving range. From their care records we saw they liked to do this on a regular basis. Staff were supportive in making these arrangements and accompanied the person.

We found the home to be relaxed and staff supportive of people's needs. We spoke with two people who said they were happy with the staff support. One person said, “It’s alright here.” Another person said, “The staff are ok.”

We reviewed people's care records and found documents to show people gave consent to support. In the care plans we saw people had been involved in planning their care needs and consented to care when appropriate.

We found people had contact with professionals who supported them and staff deliver care appropriate to their needs. For instance, support was provided for people on Community Treatment Orders and after being detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

We spoke with two staff, who said they received guidance and support from the manager. They also said they received appropriate training and were supported to carry out their responsibilities effectively. Staff records we reviewed evidenced staff training and supervision.

We found the quality of the service provision was monitored on a regular basis, and that action plans were produced as a result of findings.

This inspection took place on 3 & 4 December 2015 and was unannounced.

Rutland Road Care Home is registered to provide care and support for up to five people who are living with mental illness. There were five people living at the service when we visited.

The service has 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.

Staff had been trained to recognise signs of potential abuse and how to report them. People reported feeling safe in the company of staff.

There were processes in place to manage identifiable risks. People had risk assessments in place to enable them to maintain their independence.

The provider carried out recruitment checks on new staff to make sure they were fit to work at the service.

There were suitable and sufficient staff with the appropriate skill mix available to support people with their needs.

Systems were in place to ensure people were supported to take their medicines safely and at the appropriate times.

Staff had been provided with induction and on-going essential training to keep their skills up to date. They were also provided with regular supervision.

Staff ensured that people’s consent was gained before providing them with support.

People were supported to make decisions about their care and support needs; and this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff were knowledgeable of the guidance and followed the correct processes to protect people.

People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and were able to make choices on what they wished to eat and drink.

If required, people were supported by staff to access other healthcare facilities and were registered with a GP.

Positive and caring relationships had been developed between people and staff.

There were processes in place to ensure that people’s views were acted on; and staff provided care and support to people in a meaningful way.

Where possible people were encouraged to maintain their independence and staff ensured their privacy and dignity were promoted.

To ensure people’s identified needs would be adequately met; pre-admission assessments were undertaken before they moved into the service.

A complaints procedure had been developed to enable people to raise concerns if they needed to.

There was a positive, open and inclusive culture at the service; and the leadership was transparent and visible, which inspired staff to provide a quality service.

Effective quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided and to drive continuous improvements.