We carried out an inspection to help us answer 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, discussions with five of the people using the service and five of their relatives, three care staff supporting them and looking at three people's care records. If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
People who used the service told us that they felt safe. One person told us, "I feel safe here". One relative told us, "I feel confident that my relative is safe here". Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff understood their role in safeguarding the people they supported. Staff were aware of the provider's whistleblowing policy.
Staff knew about risk management plans and we saw that they supported people in line with those plans. This meant people were cared for in a way that protected them from harm.
We found that medicines that people needed were stored and administered in a safe way by staff who were appropriately trained and competent. This meant people were protected from the risks associated with medicines.
The manager ensured that staff rotas were planned in advance to maintain the staffing numbers required to provide care in a safe way. The provider had robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure staff were of good character and had the skills and knowledge to support people in a safe way.
Systems were in place to make sure that the manager and staff learned from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints and checks made on the service. This reduced the risk to people and helped the service to continually improve.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. We saw that an application had needed to be submitted for one person and that this had been completed in line with legal requirements.
Is the service effective?
People's care needs were assessed with them. All of the people we spoke with told us they were involved in their care planning and reviews of care. We saw that care plans were regularly updated.
Where people had complex needs that required the input of specialist health care services, assessments had been made by the appropriate professionals. Their recommendations were carried out by the staff. This meant the provider worked well with other services to ensure people's health care needs were met.
Staff were well supported and trained to ensure they effectively met people's needs.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by care staff that were kind and caring. We saw that care staff gave people encouragement and respected their privacy and dignity. One person told us, "Everyone who works here is very kind".
People's preferences, interests and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support was provided in accordance with people's wishes.
Is the service responsive?
People had the opportunity to plan and engage in a range of different activities each day.
People were asked their views about the service and the provider acted on comments and suggestions that people made.
Where care staff had noticed people's changing needs, their care plans were updated to reflect this. This was because staff discussed people's care needs with them on a regular basis. People told us staff would always do their best to make sure they were happy.
Is the service well led?
The provider had quality assurance and risk management systems in place. We found the registered manager checked that risks were managed effectively.
The provider sought the views of people who used the service. Records seen by us indicated that shortfalls in the service were addressed
Staff told us they were clear about their roles and responsibilities and understood the quality assurance and risk management systems. This helped to ensure that people received a good quality of care. Staff told us the home was well organised and they felt supported by their manager.