Our inspection looked at our five questions; is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, speaking with the staff supporting them and looking at records.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people's safety and welfare. Records were in place to monitor any specific areas where people were more at risk and explained what action staff needed to take to protect them.
Systems were in place to make sure managers and staff learn from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints, concerns, whistleblowing and investigations. This reduces the risks to people and helps the service to continually improve.
Before new staff started to work at the home robust background checks had been carried out to make sure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people.
The provider had systems in place to ensure the service was safely run. For example we saw regular audits were carried out on topics such as health and safety, care planning and medication practices.
Is the service effective?
People's health and care needs were assessed on a regular basis. People who used the service, and their relatives, told us they had been involved in formulating plans of care and these were reviewed and updated regularly.
People received a well-balanced diet and were involved in choosing what they ate. The people we spoke with said they were happy with the meals provided. Specialist dietary needs had been assessed and catered for.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by friendly staff who had received training to meet their needs. We saw staff interacting with people in a positive manner. They encouraged them to be as independent as they were able to be, while providing support as needed.
We saw people looked well-presented and cared for. We spoke with four people who used the service and five visitors. The majority of people said they were happy with the care provided and complimented the staff for the way they supported people. One person told us, 'We are very happy, staff are caring and professional here.'
Care files contained detailed information about people's needs and preferences. We saw care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes.
Is the service responsive?
Care records demonstrated that when there had been changes in people's needs outside agencies had been involved to make sure they received the correct care and support. For example, one person who had lost weight had been referred to a dietician. Another person who had difficulty swallowing had been referred to the speech and language therapist.
People told us they had access to a variety of social activities. During our visit we saw people playing bingo and being entertained by a singer. Other people went out into the community with their families.
The home has a complaints procedure which was available to people using and visiting the service. Complaints had been recorded and action taken to address any areas needing improving.
Satisfaction surveys and meetings had been used to enable people to share their views on the service provided. This helped the provider to assess if people were receiving the care and support they needed. People's comments indicated that overall they were happy with how staff supported them and the home's facilities.
Is the service well-led?
At the time of the inspection there was a registered manager in post who had come into post earlier in 2014. She told us the deputy manager and nursing staff provided managerial support in her absence. People we spoke with said they thought the manager was very approachable.
There was a quality assurance system in place to assess if the home was operating correctly. This included surveys as well as internal and company audits. We saw action plans were in place to address any shortfalls, and progress was being made to address these.
Staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities. We saw staff had access to company policies and procedure to instruct and guide them. Staff training and development needs had been assessed to enable the provider to arrange future training sessions.