Vale House

Vale House consists of six self-contained flats providing residential accommodation and nursing support for males with learning disabilities, autism and associated complex needs. The home has communal areas on the ground floor and a passenger lift provided access to the first floor. The home stands in its own grounds in a residential area of Horwich, Bolton. The home is situated close to Horwich town centre and local amenities.

Vale House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

There was a registered manager 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.

At our last inspection in March 2016, we rated the service as good. At this inspection we found the service had continued to develop and further strengthened a very caring approach and responsiveness and leadership of the service. People continued to receive a high standard of care in the community where they felt valued and had a sense of belonging.

The service was well led. The registered manager, supported by a deputy manager and a well-established staff team had a strong sense of providing people with an enhanced quality of life which took into account individual wishes and needs so each person was valued and treated with equality. This inclusive ethos enabled people to carry on living their lives, pursuing their interests and maintaining and building relationships.

Staff treated each person as an individual and respected their life history and experiences. Staff had an excellent understanding of the people they were supporting and what was important to them and significant events in their lives. They focussed on the uniqueness of each person rather than labelling them with a diagnosis or condition.

We saw that staff treated people with dignity and respect and there was a good rapport between people

living at Vale House and the staff team.

Each person living at the home was supported individually during the day by a member of staff. On occasions two members of staff were required to provide support. Staffing levels were planned depending on daily events. For example hospital appointments, GP visits and for some trips and outings.

Staff were safely recruited and completed a thorough induction programme on commencing work. Staff had access to safeguarding policies and procedures and had completed safeguarding training. Staff safety was paramount and staff carried personal alarms at all times.

Staff completed mandatory and specialist training as required. Staff supervisions and annual appraisals were on-going. Medicines were safely stored in locked cabinets in people's own flats. Staff supported people with their medicines and medicine administration records (MARS) were completed.

Health and safety checks were in place and equipment had been serviced in line with the manufactures instructions.

The service was working within the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

Care files and support plans were person centred and contained comprehensive information around a range of health needs and wellbeing. Care records evidenced that people had been involved with their care planning and in attending reviews.

Daily activity plans were completed offering a range of trips and outings and house activities. People were encouraged to maintain their independence, where possible. The service worked closely with other agencies to help ensure people's needs were met.

There was information in the care records in an easy read format to help people make a complaint if they were unhappy or concerned.

There was information provided to people and their families when people were being offered a flat at Vale House.

Effective systems were in place to monitor and assess the quality of the service provided.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found