We inspected the service on 19 July 2017 as an unannounced inspection.

Walsingham House is registered to provide care and accommodation to a maximum of four people with learning disabilities, or autistic spectrum disorders, physical disabilities or people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection visit there were three people living at home.

At the last inspection on 23 June 2015 and 9 July 2015 the service was rated overall as Good however ‘Effective’ was rated as Requires Improvement At this inspection we found all areas were now ‘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.

At our previous inspection, the provider was not aware of the changes made to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). During this inspection we found the provider, registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities under the MCA and the DoLS, and people’s rights were protected in accordance with the Act. Staff offered people choice and respected their decisions.

People received a choice of meals and drinks that met their individual needs and were supported to attend healthcare services when needed.

People told us they felt safe living at Walsingham House and relatives agreed with them. Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from the risk of abuse. The provider checked staff’s suitability for their role before they started working at the home. There were enough staff to support people safely inside the home and in the wider community.

Risks associated with people’s care was identified and care was planned to minimise the risks to people. Medicines were managed, stored, administered and disposed of safely.

People were supported by a stable staff team who knew people well and had the skills and training to meet their needs. Care records contained information to enable staff to deliver care and support based on the individual needs and preferences of each person. Some care records lacked detail which the registered manager was addressing. People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in planning and reviewing their care and support.

People were supported to maintain relationships with people who were important to them and were encouraged to follow their interests and take part in meaningful social activities. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and encouraged people to maintain their independence.

People and relatives were complimentary about the quality of care they received and the way the home was managed. Staff felt supported and valued by the management team. The provider and registered manager completed regular checks to monitor the quality of service provided and invited people and relatives to share their views about the service. The provider used feedback to ensure the service continually improved.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

This inspection took place on the 23 June and 9 July 2015. The first visit was unannounced, however we arranged to return on an announced visit when the registered manager was back from annual leave and when the only one of the three people who lived at the home who could verbally communicate, was available for us to talk with.

Walsingham House provides care and accommodation for up to four people with a diagnosis of a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. The communal area of the home and one of the bedrooms was on the ground floor. The rest of the bedrooms were on the first floor.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

There were sufficient staff to meet the health care needs of people, and to support people, who wanted to engage in activities outside of the home. Staff received regular training, and new staff were provided with a thorough induction to help them understand people’s needs and how to support people effectively.

Staff had received training in keeping people safe and understood their responsibility to report any observed or suspected abuse. Where risks associated with people’s health and wellbeing had been identified, there were plans to manage those risks. Risk assessments ensured people could continue to enjoy activities as safely as possible, access the community and maintain their independence.

Staff had received training to understand the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). A DoLS is part of the Mental Capacity Act and ensures where a person is deprived of their freedom, the care home has been given permission to do so by the local authority; however, the provider was not aware of the changes to DoLS in 2014 and had not made the appropriate applications. This meant they were not following legal requirements.

Staff were observed to be kind and considerate to people. One person who lived at the home was younger and more independent than the other two people who were much older and frail. Staff ensured that the needs of all three were met.

Where possible, people were involved in making decisions about what they had to eat and drink. People were referred to external healthcare professionals to ensure their health and wellbeing was maintained. Medicines were managed so that people received their medication as prescribed.

People had moved from another location in Nuneaton to Walsingham House in the last year. The changes had been managed well by the registered manager and the staff.

Staff told us they were supported by management and there was good communication between them. The registered manager had a good understanding of the needs of people the home supported.