The inspection took place on 22 and 30 November and was unannounced.

York Lodge is registered to provide care and support for up to 24 people living with a range of mental health needs such as Korsakoff Syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, personality disorder and bi-polar disorder. At the time of our inspection, 23 people were living at the home. York Lodge is situated in a residential area of Worthing, with the town centre and seafront within walking distance. Accommodation is provided over two floors and communal areas comprise a large sitting room and dining room, a ‘quiet lounge’ on the top floor and six bathrooms. Rooms are of single or double occupancy. Wi-Fi is available throughout the home.

A registered manager was in post. 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 were protected from avoidable harm and abuse by trained staff who knew what action to take if they suspected abuse was taking place. Risks to people were identified, assessed and managed appropriately. Sufficient numbers of staff were on duty to keep people safe and could be deployed flexibly as needed. New staff were recruited following safe practices. Medicines were managed appropriately and people were protected by the prevention and control of infection.

Staff had been trained in a wide range of areas which enabled some staff to undertake dual roles, thus enabling people to receive effective care and support at the time they needed it. Staff attended supervision meetings and team meetings and communication across the service was good. People’s consent was gained in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and staff understood their responsibilities under this legislation. No-one living at York Lodge was subject to Deprivation of Liberty safeguards and people were free to come and go. People had sufficient to eat and drink and were encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. People were involved in decisions relating to the environment and had personalised their rooms to their own taste.

Staff were kind, reassuring and warm with people and were easily accessible when people wanted to talk with them. Staff were patient in their care of people and genuinely mindful of their wellbeing. People were encouraged to express their views and to be involved in all aspects of their care. They were treated with dignity and respect by staff.

Care plans reflected people’s likes, dislikes and the way they wished to be cared for. People were fully involved in reviewing their care plans and met with staff on a regular basis to ensure their changing needs were accommodated and met. People had signed their care plans to show their involvement and agree the contents. Care plans were flexible to meet people’s needs, for example, when they became unwell. A support worker went out with people into the community and encouraged people to pursue interests of importance to them. There was also a range of activities within the home. A complaints policy was in place, but no formal complaints had been received within the last year.

People were involved in developing the service and their views, as well as their relatives, were sought and acted upon. A newsletter kept people in touch with what was happening at York Lodge. Residents’ meetings enabled people to discuss a range of issues. Overall, people and their relatives were very positive about the staff and the standard of care provided at the home. The home was well managed and good leadership was visible at all levels inspiring staff to provide a quality service. Staff were happy in their work and talked about the importance of a t

We spoke with four people who live at the home. They were all satisfied with the care and support they received, how it was delivered and were happy living at York Lodge. One person told us, "I love living here. I go out if I want and they (staff) are good to me". Another said, "I feel safe here. The manager is a very good chap".

We noted that people were able to manage their own social lives and were facilitated to do so by staff, who were aware of their responsibilities to act in people's best interests. There were also social activities, events and holidays on offer, organised by the provider.

We saw that people's consent was obtained where possible before care and treatment was undertaken. We observed that the care given was safe and appropriate and based on effective care planning and risk assessments. This meant that people's individual needs were met and preferences were taken into account.

People were protected from abuse and cared for in a safe and inclusive environment. There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. We also found that systems were in place for people and relatives to make a complaint about the service if necessary.

The majority of people we spoke with who live in York Lodge told us that they were very happy living in the home.

We spoke with people both individually and in groups and they told us that “the staff were their family”. They told us that the staff were kind and that the manager was always available to sort out their problems.

One person told us that “This is my home and I’m really happy here”. People told us they could choose what they wanted to do.

The majority of people we spoke with who live in York Lodge told us that they were very happy living in the home. We spoke with people both individually and in groups and they told us that “the staff were like family and were kindness itself”. They told us that like every family, they had their ups and downs but the manager was always on hand to sort out any little problems. One person told us that they felt “very lucky to have found York Lodge” and hoped they could live there forever.