We carried out this visit to check on the care and welfare of people using this service. The visit was unannounced which meant the provider and the staff did not know we were coming. We carried out this visit as part of our schedule of planned inspections.Some people who used the service had special communication needs and used a combination of words and sounds to express themselves. Where people were not able to express their views to us we observed interaction between people and staff. We also used our Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI) tool to help us see what people's experiences were during the day. The SOFI tool allows us to spend time watching what is happening and helps us to record how people spend their time and whether they have positive experiences. This included looking at the support that was given to people using the service by the staff.
We saw that staff provided sensitive support and people were treated with respect. Personal care issues were discussed sensitively and discreetly. We spoke with eight people and four visitors who told us that they were happy with the care and support in the home and how the service was managed. They said, 'The staff are really good here and they let you know what's going on.' People said the staff were always available and responded promptly to any areas of concern. This meant people had confidence in the service.
People's privacy and dignity were respected. We saw staff knocking on people's doors and waiting for an answer before entering. People told us they could spend time alone in their bedroom when they wanted to.
We saw people were dressed in their own style and if they told us if they needed support, the staff would help them to continue to take a pride in their appearance. The manager spent time with people and ensured people were dressed appropriately, as part of their daily checks in the home.
People's diversity, values and human rights were respected. We saw that people's care records included information about their religious beliefs and their cultural needs.
Family and friends we spoke with told us they could visit the home whenever they wanted to. People using the service told us family members were able to continue to provide care for them and were involved in providing support. People said they went to their families' homes and continued to enjoy family events, and relatives could accompany them on medical appointments.
We heard that people and their relatives were asked for their views about the home. People told us they knew how to complain if they were unhappy but had not needed to do this.