Tanfield House is a care home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people who have mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were five people using the service. Public transport and a range of shops are located within walking distance from the service.

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

The service had a registered manager. 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.

There were systems in place to keep people safe. Staff had received training on how to identify abuse and understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and reporting concerns.

Risks to people were identified and guidance was available for staff to follow to minimise the risk of people being harmed and to keep them safe.

Arrangements were in place to provide appropriate numbers of appropriately skilled staff to deliver the care people needed. Staffing levels were kept under review and adjusted when people’s needs changed and to provide the support people needed to attend appointments and other activities.

Staff were appropriately recruited and supported to provide people with the individualised care and support that they needed.

Staff assessed people's needs and care plans were developed that reflected people’s individual needs and preferences. People were involved in planning their care. Staff understood people's needs and provided care and support in a respectful way.

People were supported to maintain good health. They had access to appropriate healthcare services that monitored their health and provided people with appropriate support, treatment and specialist advice when needed.

People received their medicines as required. Medicines were stored securely and managed safely by staff

Staff received a range of training and support to enable them to be skilled and competent to carry out their roles and responsibilities.

Staff had understood the implications of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 [MCA] and applied its principles when providing people with care and support. Staff understood the importance of ensuring people agreed to the care and support they received and knew they needed to involve others when people were unable to make important decisions.

Management staff were aware of their responsibilities in regard to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives in the least restrictive way possible. The service supported and promoted people’s independence. Staff sought people’s permission before they provided them with assistance and support.

People knew how to make a complaint and were confident their concerns would be resolved.

People's nutritional and dietary requirements were met. People made themselves snacks and drinks whenever they wanted.

There were systems in place to review, monitor and improve the quality of the services provided for people.

This unannounced inspection of Tanfield House took place on the 6 January 2015. Tanfield House is a care home registered to provide personal care and accommodation for five people who have mental health needs. On the day of our visit there were four people living in the home. Public transport and a range of shops are located within walking distance of the service.

At our last inspection 23 September 2013, we found the provider met the regulations we inspected.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

The atmosphere of the home was relaxed and welcoming. Throughout our visit we observed caring and supportive relationships between staff and people using the service. Staff interacted with people in a friendly and courteous manner. People told us they were content living in the home.

People were involved in decisions about their care and support, and were not restricted from leaving the home. People told us their privacy was respected and they were supported to maintain good health. People’s health was monitored and they received the advice and treatment they required from a range of health professionals.

People were cared for by staff who understood people’s needs and had the knowledge and skills to provide people with the support and care they wanted and needed. Staff received a range of relevant training and were supported to obtain qualifications related to their work. Staff told us they enjoyed working in the home and received the support they needed from management staff to enable them to carry out their roles and responsibilities. The staffing of the service was organised to make sure people received the care and support they needed.

Staff understood how to safeguard the people they supported. People told us they felt safe. People’s individual needs and risks were assessed and identified as part of their plan of care and support. People’s support plans were personalised and contained the information and guidance staff needed to provide people with the care they needed and wanted.

People had the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, and to participate in the local and wider community. People’s relationships with family and those important to them were supported.

People were provided with a choice of meals and refreshments that met their preferences and dietary needs.

Staff had an understanding of the systems in place to protect people who were unable to make particular decisions about their care, treatment and other aspects of their lives. Staff knew about the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

There were effective systems in place to monitor the care and welfare of people and improve the quality of the service.

During the inspection we spoke with all the people who used the service, a care worker, an assistant manager, provider and an administrator.

Each person who used the service had a plan of care that had been regularly reviewed and included information about the individual support and care that the person needed. People told us that they were involved in decisions about their lives and were asked for their consent about matters to do with their care and treatment.

Staff received appropriate support, appraisal and training. They knew about their roles and responsibilities in meeting the needs of the people whom they supported. People approached staff without hesitation. Staff interacted with people who used the service in a sensitive and positive manner. People accessed their bedrooms and the communal areas of the home freely.

People’s health, safety and welfare were protected as they received the advice and treatment that they needed from a range of healthcare and social care professionals.

The home was clean. Staff and people who used the service were aware of the importance of ensuring that appropriate standards of cleanliness and hygiene were maintained. The décor in some areas of the home was ‘tired’ looking.

People were asked for their views about the service and there were systems in place to make improvements to the service when needed.

People told us that they received the care they needed and wanted and were positive about the staff that supported them. Staff had a good understanding of the varied needs of people living in the home, and knew about their roles and responsibilities in meeting those needs.

People had been involved in the assessment of their needs and were central to their individual plan of care and support. People’s preferences and goals were considered in relation to the care and support that they received. People received treatment and advice from a variety of health and social care professionals.

People told us about the decisions that they made about their lives. We saw people make a number of choices. These included deciding what they wanted to eat, and what they wanted to do. People’s independence and skills were promoted and supported by staff.

People told us they felt safe and knew who to talk to if they had any worries or concerns. Policies and the training received by staff protected people from abuse.

Staff numbers and skills mix met people’s varied needs. Records were comprehensive, accurate and up to date.