This inspection took place on 10 September 2018 and was unannounced.

This was our first inspection of the service since they registered with us.

Acacia Lodge Care Home 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.

Acacia Lodge Care Home can accommodate up to 40 people in one adapted building. It provides a service to older people, some of whom have nursing or dementia related care needs. At the time of this inspection, 35 people were living in the home.

Care planning and risk assessments were personalised and mentioned the specific care each person required, including their likes and dislikes. However, most of the staff we spoke with had not read people’s care plans. This meant they could not evidence they were fully informed and up to date with any changes to people’s care.

People were involved in their own care planning as much as they could be, and were able to contribute to the way in which they were supported. People told us they felt in control of their care and were listened to by staff.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

People told us they felt safe, and staff had an understanding of abuse and the safeguarding procedures that should be followed to report abuse. People had risk assessments in place to cover any risks that were present within their lives, and actions were taken to reduce risk where possible. All the staff we spoke with were confident that any concerns they raised would be followed up appropriately by the registered manager.

Staffing levels were adequate to meet people's current needs, and rotas showed that staffing was consistent.

The staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure only suitable staff worked at the service. References and security checks were carried out as required.

Staff attended induction training where they completed mandatory training courses and were able to shadow more experienced staff giving care. Staff told us that they were able to update their mandatory training with short refresher courses.

Nursing staff supported people with the administration of medicines, and were trained to do so. The people we spoke with were happy with the support they received.

People's consent was gained before any care was provided and the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were met. Consent forms were signed and within people’s files.

People were able to choose the food and drink they wanted and staff supported people with this, and people could be supported to access health professionals when required. All aspects of people’s health was documented within their files and updated regularly.

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes. People told us they were happy with the way that staff spoke to them, and provided their care in a respectful and dignified manner.

The service had a complaints procedure in place to ensure that people and their families were able to provide feedback about their care and to help the service make improvements where required.

The people we spoke with knew how to use it.

Quality monitoring systems and processes were in place and comprehensive audits were taking place within the service to identify where improvements could be made.

The service worked in partnership with other agencies to ensure quality of care across all levels. Communication was open and honest, and improvements we