The Lodge is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to four people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. The home is situated in Sheffield, South Yorkshire near local shops and public transport.

There was a manager at the service who was registered with CQC. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The Lodge is a four bedroom detached residence situated in one of the area’s most sought after locations. Occupying an elevated position within approximately 6 acres of landscaped grounds. is The Lodge is situated in the Peak District National Park and is within 7 miles of the city and Hospitals. There are local amenities at Crosspool, including shops and restaurants.

This inspection took place on 5 January 2017 and short notice was given. On the day of our inspection there were four people living at The Lodge.

People we spoke with told us the service provided good care and support. They told us they felt safe, the staff were caring, kind and respected their choices and decisions.

Medicines were stored safely and procedures were in place to ensure medicines were administered safely. Although we recommended the service considers current best practice guidance in relation to the recording of opening certain medicines such as creams, lotions, eye drops and bottles.

We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The staff we spoke with had a good understanding and knowledge of this.

People were involved in menu planning and meal preparation. We saw people we able to choose what they wanted to eat and who they sat with. There was plenty of choice. People had access to drinks and snacks as they wanted them.

Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and spoke to people with understanding, warmth and respect.

People’s needs had been identified, and from talking to people and observing staff supporting people, we found people’s needs were met by staff who knew them well.

Care records we saw detailed people’s needs and where ever possible people had been involved in their care planning.

There was a robust recruitment system and all staff had completed an induction. Staff had received formal supervision and annual appraisals of their work performance.

There were systems in place for monitoring quality, which were effective. Where improvements were needed, these were addressed and followed up to ensure continuous improvement.

The service had not received any complaints however, the registered manager was aware of how to respond to complaints.

Staff and people who used the service who we spoke with told us that all staff were approachable, the registered manager operated an ‘open door policy and the service was well led.