The inspection visit took place on 25 May 2017 and it was unannounced.

The Stables Residential Care Home provides care for up to seven older people and on the day of our inspection there were seven people living there.

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

There was a registered manager at the home. 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.

People and relatives were complimentary and satisfied with the quality of care they received. People received care that enabled them to live their lives as they wanted and were able to make choices about keeping their independence. People were encouraged to make their own decisions about the care they received and care was given in line with their expressed wishes. People were supported to maintain relationships with people who were important to them.

Care plans contained accurate and detailed relevant information for staff to help them provide the individual care people required. People and relatives were involved in making care decisions and reviewing their care to ensure it continued to meet their needs.

For people assessed as being at risk, care records included information for staff so risks to people’s health and welfare were minimised. Staff had a good knowledge of people’s needs and abilities which meant they provided safe and effective care. Staff received essential training to meet people’s individual needs, and effectively used their skills, knowledge and experience to support people and develop trusting relationships.

People’s care and support was provided by a caring staff team and there were enough trained and experienced staff to be responsive to meet their needs. People told us they felt safe living at The Stables and relatives supported this. Staff knew how to keep people safe from the risk of abuse. Staff and the registered manager understood what actions they needed to take if they had any concerns for people's wellbeing or safety.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People received a choice of meals and drinks that met their individual dietary requirements at times they wanted them. People received support from staff when they required it, and anyone at risk of malnutrition or dehydration, were monitored and if concerns were identified, advice was sought and followed.

People and relatives knew how to voice their complaints and felt confident to do so.

People’s feedback was sought by completing surveys, as was that of relatives and staff. The registered manager had an ‘open door’ policy for people, relatives, staff and visitors to the home. People and relatives also had access to an independent advocacy service, paid for by the provider.

The management team ensured through regular checks that this remained the case. The registered manager acknowledged these checks needed to be more clearly recorded, and assured us they would do so.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The inspection visit took place on 25 May 2017 and it was unannounced.

The Stables Residential Care Home provides care for up to seven older people and on the day of our inspection there were seven people living there.

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

There was a registered manager at the home. 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.

People and relatives were complimentary and satisfied with the quality of care they received. People received care that enabled them to live their lives as they wanted and were able to make choices about keeping their independence. People were encouraged to make their own decisions about the care they received and care was given in line with their expressed wishes. People were supported to maintain relationships with people who were important to them.

Care plans contained accurate and detailed relevant information for staff to help them provide the individual care people required. People and relatives were involved in making care decisions and reviewing their care to ensure it continued to meet their needs.

For people assessed as being at risk, care records included information for staff so risks to people’s health and welfare were minimised. Staff had a good knowledge of people’s needs and abilities which meant they provided safe and effective care. Staff received essential training to meet people’s individual needs, and effectively used their skills, knowledge and experience to support people and develop trusting relationships.

People’s care and support was provided by a caring staff team and there were enough trained and experienced staff to be responsive to meet their needs. People told us they felt safe living at The Stables and relatives supported this. Staff knew how to keep people safe from the risk of abuse. Staff and the registered manager understood what actions they needed to take if they had any concerns for people's wellbeing or safety.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People received a choice of meals and drinks that met their individual dietary requirements at times they wanted them. People received support from staff when they required it, and anyone at risk of malnutrition or dehydration, were monitored and if concerns were identified, advice was sought and followed.

People and relatives knew how to voice their complaints and felt confident to do so.

People’s feedback was sought by completing surveys, as was that of relatives and staff. The registered manager had an ‘open door’ policy for people, relatives, staff and visitors to the home. People and relatives also had access to an independent advocacy service, paid for by the provider.

The management team ensured through regular checks that this remained the case. The registered manager acknowledged these checks needed to be more clearly recorded, and assured us they would do so.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Our inspection visit was unannounced so that nobody who lived or worked at The Stables knew we were coming.

During our visit we met all the people who live at The Stables and spoke with three individuals and one visitor about their individual experiences of care.

We spoke with the provider, who is also the registered manager, and three members of care staff.

People told us they were happy living in the home. One person commented, "They (the staff team) look after me well. The food is excellent, I am so comfortable here."

We saw that care staff knew people at the home well and spoke with them in a friendly, respectful way. We saw that care staff were sensitive to people's needs and offered them support when assistance was requested or indicated. One person commented, "They (the staff) can't do enough for you. This is such a happy home, I couldn't wish for better."

During a tour of the home, we noted that all areas of the home were clean and tidy and the environment was pleasant for both staff and people using the service.

Care staff were positive about working in the home. We were told there were regular training sessions to enable staff to develop their skills and knowledge and provide effective care for people who lived at the home.

When we visited The Stables Residential Care Home we met with all the people who lived there. We spoke with three people in detail about their care and with the two care workers who were on duty.

The people we spoke with were complimentary about the staff and appeared comfortable and relaxed in the environment of the home. People told us; “I am very happy here. I can't tell you how lucky I was to find such a lovely home.” and "The owner/manager really cares about how we are, the staff are second to none."

We talked with staff who demonstrated they were aware of people’s care and support needs. Staff said they were trained to help them understand how to meet people’s needs and give the support people needed.

We found that staff were knowledgeable about people’s interests and preferences. We saw that people led active lifestyles with the support they needed and took part in a range of social and educational opportunities.

Staff spoken with were very motivated, caring and positive about working in the home and praised the teamwork and supportive atmosphere.

During our visit we spoke with six of the seven people who live at The Stables and two visiting relatives.

People said they enjoyed the social and leisure activities provided, and praised the importance given to their religious needs. One person told us, “the manager found out where my nearest church was and said she would take me every week if I wanted to attend a service.”

People told us they felt safe and able to report any concerns they may

have. We were told that, ''the girls (staff) are very good at their job; nothing is too much trouble.” People said they get the help they need as there are enough staff on duty. People told us they were very happy with the service. They felt listened to and had a say in how the home is run.

When we looked around the home we saw people's rooms were clean and suitably furnished. People had been able to personalise their rooms and bring in small items of their own furniture if they wished.

A visiting family member told us that they had looked at several homes before their relative moved in, but felt immediately that The Stables was the right place for their relative. This family member visits regularly and the staff always make them welcome. They told us their relative's needs are fully met and that they always look well cared for. They stated they have no concerns about the home.