We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place over two days on 8 and 9 November 2016. The first day was unannounced. The home was last inspected in November 2014. At the last inspection we found a breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The service did not always check the suitability of newly recruited staff to work with vulnerable adults. There was a breach of Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations (2009) as the service did not notify us of how they responded to certain specified situations, such as injuries, illness or safeguarding concerns. During this inspection we saw that the service was now compliant in these areas.

Ashgrove House is a large Victorian house, which has been extended and refurbished to provide 32 single rooms, 28 with en-suite facilities. It is situated in a residential area of Chadderton, and is close to local amenities such as shops, churches and schools. Bedroom accommodation is provided on the ground and first floor. There is a passenger lift to the first floor. The service is registered to provide accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care. At the time of our inspection there were 31 people living at Ashgrove House.

The home had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), but this person was not present when we inspected. However there was an interim manager in place who was available throughout the time we were at the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC 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 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

Ashgrove had a warm and friendly atmosphere and people told us they felt safe there. When we spoke with staff they were able explain how they ensured people were protected from abuse or harm.

People were supported by a long-standing, stable staff team. Staff were knowledgeable and knew the needs of the people who used the service. Procedures for recruiting new staff were sufficiently robust to help ensure that people were protected from the risk of unsuitable staff being employed, and the level of staff was sufficient to meet the needs of the people who used the service.

We saw from looking at the training records that staff received appropriate training to meet the identified needs of people who lived at Ashgrove, such as dementia training, capacity and consent, and end of life care. We saw that where specialist equipment was required, staff had received instruction on its use, and the property and all equipment was well maintained.

Care records gave a good indication of people’s abilities and provided a good description of their individual likes and dislikes. Where risk was identified, plans were in place to minimise the risk of harm occurring. Senior staff were trained to administer medicines and we saw procedures were in place to ensure the safe management of medicines.

When people were being deprived of their liberty, the correct processes had been followed to ensure that this was done within the current legislation. Staff understood issues around capacity and consent, and offered people choices to support their independence. People who did not have family or representatives and were unable to speak for themselves had access to advocates who gave independent advice and acted in the person’s best interest.

Staff communicated well with each other and we saw that information was exchanged between s

This inspection was carried out over two days on 5 and 6 November 2014. Our visit on 5 November was unannounced.

We last inspected Ashgrove House in December 2013. At that inspection we found the service was meeting all the standards that we assessed.

Ashgrove House provides accommodation for up to 32 people who need accommodation and support with personal care. The home provides support for older people. The home is a converted and refurbished Victorian House in a residential area of South Chadderton (Oldham). Accommodation is provided over two floors with a passenger lift as well as stairs between the floors. 32 people were living in the home at the time of our inspection. The building was well maintained, clean, tidy and odour free.

The deputy manager was covering the vacant manager’s post temporarily pending the newly appointed manager joining the home. They were being supported in this by a manager from another home nearby which was also run by the service provider.

Ashgrove House is legally required to have 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. The service provider had taken appropriate steps to recruit a new manager in a timely manner following the resignation of the previous post holder. However, that person had not commenced employment at Ashgrove House at the time of our visit.

The atmosphere in the home during our visits was calm and relaxed. Staff were respectful in their dealings with each other, visitors and people who used the service.

People who used the service were positive and complimentary about the attitude and competency of the staff team. Care was assessed, planned and reviewed on a regular basis. There was good communication between all levels of staff at the home.

The provision of food was good. Social activities were available if people wished to participate.

Information which we received from health and social care professionals who had contact with the home was positive about the care and support provided by the staff team.

We identified two areas where improvement was required because the service provider was not complying with the relevant regulations.

When staff are recruited to work in a care home there are certain checks which the service provider must undertake. These checks are listed in the relevant Regulations. The reason for those checks is to help ensure the service provider has enough information about a prospective employee to make a reasonable decision about their suitability to work with vulnerable people. Although references and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks were obtained, other specified checks were not. This meant the service provider was not taking all the steps they needed to, to help ensure people’s safety.

The law requires all Adult Social Care providers to notify us (CQC) about a number of specified changes, events and incidents affecting their service or the people who use the service, within a defined time. The service provider had not ensured this was being done consistently. Notifications tell us how a service has responded to certain specified situations. This helps us decide if the situation was handled correctly and if the service provider was complying with the law.

You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

Ashgrove House provided care for up to 32 people. 31 people were resident on the day of the inspection.

We spoke to two people living at the home and using services and one visiting family member. Due to presenting conditions, the service users we spoke to were not able to describe their experiences in detail. All the people we spoke to were positive about their experiences and said they or their relative were happy there. They said their choices and dignity were respected, they felt independent and free to do as they pleased. All were complimentary about the staff; comments included 'they are very nice' and 'there when you need them'.

We spoke to three members of staff. All demonstrated commitment to their work and the service users.

In the main, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly; we saw service users and staff engaged in conversations and activities. There was a noisy period during the morning when the television was on and there was music playing.

We observed and heard staff assisting people. This was done discreetly and efficiently.

Memorabilia was displayed in the home although this was not observed to reflect ethnic diversity and the provider may wish to consider addressing this.

At the time of this inspection visit, 32 people were living at the home. We saw that most people staying at the home had complex health care needs such as dementia.

We spoke with three people staying at the home and with visiting relatives for two people. One person told us that living at Ashgrove House was “like home from home”. Another person said “This is my home now”. One visitor described the service their relative received as “Excellent”. Another visitor said “On the whole they were happy with the service”.

People told us that they were involved in their care. Both visitors we spoke with, told us that they were kept informed about their relative’s health and wellbeing. Both said that any issues or concerns they had raised were responded to immediately.

The sample of care records we looked at showed that people’s needs were assessed and reviewed regularly.

We saw that people lived in a home that was well maintained, clean and comfortable.

The staff employed at the home were subject to thorough vetting before they started employment.

We visited Ashgrove House on 1 December 2011 in the morning.

People who live at the care home told us that "The staff are very nice". Another person said that "it was like a family run hotel".

People who lived at the care home told us that they were treated with dignity and respect.

One relative told us "The staff are wonderful".

People told us that they were offered choices about many things. This included their food, when to get up and when to go bed.

One relative told us "I can't fault the staff". Another relative told us the staff are " kind and loving with the people who live here".