Abbeyfield Residential Care Home -The Grove is registered to provide accommodation for personal and nursing care to a maximum of 32 people. At the time of inspection 32 people were living at the home. Care is provided to older people, including some people who live with dementia. Nursing care is not provided.

At the last inspection in June 2015 we had rated the service as 'Good'. At this inspection we found the service remained 'Good' and met each of the fundamental standards we inspected.

People said they were safe and staff were kind and approachable. There were sufficient staff to provide safe and individual care to people. People were protected as staff had received training about safeguarding and knew how to respond to any allegation of abuse. When new staff were appointed, thorough vetting checks were carried out to make sure they were suitable to work with people who needed care and support.

People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment. Staff followed advice given by professionals to make sure people received the care they needed. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way.

Appropriate training was provided and staff were supervised and supported. People were able to make choices about aspects of their daily lives. People received a varied and balanced diet to meet their nutritional needs.

The staff team knew people well and provided support discreetly and with compassion. People’s privacy was respected and relatives and friends were encouraged to visit regularly. People’s preferences in relation to their end of life care had been discussed and the service aimed to provide people with a home for the rest of their lives.

People were involved in decisions about their daily care requirements. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Risk assessments were in place and they accurately identified current risks to the person as well as ways for staff to minimise or appropriately manage those risks. Staff knew the needs of the people they supported to provide individual care. Care was provided with kindness and people’s privacy and dignity were respected. Records were in place that reflected the care that staff provided.

A variety of activities were available within the home provided by staff, volunteers and local community groups. People were empowered to make meaningful decisions about how they lived their lives. People were encouraged or supported to go out and actively engage with the local community and maintain relationships that were important to them.

A complaints procedure was available. People told us they would feel confident to speak to staff about any concerns if they needed to. The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided.

People had the opportunity to give their views about the service. There was regular consultation with people and/ or family members and their views were used to improve the service. People had access to an advocate if required. Staff and relatives said the management team were approachable. Communication was effective to ensure staff and relatives were kept up to date about any changes in people’s care and support needs and the running of the service.

People living in the home told us they were very happy with the quality of the care they received. Comments included, "We are very well looked after, here. It’s much better than other homes I’ve seen. It’s a pleasure living here”; and, “They are very good, the girls, and they treat you with respect”.

People were always asked for their consent before staff gave them any care or treatment, and told us they were able to refuse any intervention by staff.

We saw that people were given their prescribed medicines at the correct times and in an appropriate manner, and that all medicines were safely stored.

Care had been taken to recruit suitable staff who had been thoroughly vetted before being employed in the home.

Very few complaints had been made to the home, but where any concerns had been raised they had been properly investigated. The manager and staff demonstrated that they listened to what people in the home and their representatives told them and responded appropriately.

People living in the home spoke highly of the care that they were receiving, and of the manager and all her staff. A typical comment was, “I’m very pleased with my care. The staff are very patient and very caring – I’d give them five stars plus – wonderfully kind”.

People told us that they were involved in deciding how their care was given, and said that staff were flexible and responsive if they wanted things done differently.

People said they felt safe living in the home. One commented, “I feel absolutely safe, and feel very lucky to be here”.

No one expressed any concerns about any aspect of the care or management of the home. People said they were confident that, if they did have any concerns, they could speak with the manager. They felt sure they would be listened to, and any problems would be resolved. All said that they were treated with respect by the staff.

We were told that staff appeared to be well trained. No one could identify any area where staff were unable to meet their needs in a competent manner.

People told us that they felt that staff and management asked their views and responded positively to what they told them. One said, “We’re listened to. Mrs Brown [home manager] is very understanding – she always puts residents first”.

We asked people how the home could be improved. None were able to suggest any necessary changes, and one person told us, “I wouldn’t change anything about the home”.

Abbeyfield Residential Care Home -The Grove is registered to provide accommodation for personal and nursing care to a maximum of 32 people. At the time of inspection 32 people were living at the home. Care is provided to older people, including some people who live with dementia. Nursing care is not provided.

At the last inspection in June 2015 we had rated the service as 'Good'. At this inspection we found the service remained 'Good' and met each of the fundamental standards we inspected.

People said they were safe and staff were kind and approachable. There were sufficient staff to provide safe and individual care to people. People were protected as staff had received training about safeguarding and knew how to respond to any allegation of abuse. When new staff were appointed, thorough vetting checks were carried out to make sure they were suitable to work with people who needed care and support.

People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment. Staff followed advice given by professionals to make sure people received the care they needed. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way.

Appropriate training was provided and staff were supervised and supported. People were able to make choices about aspects of their daily lives. People received a varied and balanced diet to meet their nutritional needs.

The staff team knew people well and provided support discreetly and with compassion. People’s privacy was respected and relatives and friends were encouraged to visit regularly. People’s preferences in relation to their end of life care had been discussed and the service aimed to provide people with a home for the rest of their lives.

People were involved in decisions about their daily care requirements. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Risk assessments were in place and they accurately identified current risks to the person as well as ways for staff to minimise or appropriately manage those risks. Staff knew the needs of the people they supported to provide individual care. Care was provided with kindness and people’s privacy and dignity were respected. Records were in place that reflected the care that staff provided.

A variety of activities were available within the home provided by staff, volunteers and local community groups. People were empowered to make meaningful decisions about how they lived their lives. People were encouraged or supported to go out and actively engage with the local community and maintain relationships that were important to them.

A complaints procedure was available. People told us they would feel confident to speak to staff about any concerns if they needed to. The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided.

People had the opportunity to give their views about the service. There was regular consultation with people and/ or family members and their views were used to improve the service. People had access to an advocate if required. Staff and relatives said the management team were approachable. Communication was effective to ensure staff and relatives were kept up to date about any changes in people’s care and support needs and the running of the service.