Brandreth Lodge 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.

This inspection took place on 29 January 2018, and was unannounced.

Brandreth Lodge Care Home is situated just outside the small rural village of Parbold in Lancashire. The home can accommodate up to 24 people requiring support with their nursing or personal care needs. Permanent or short term placements are available. The home has a small private car park.

This service was registered by CQC on 3 October 2016, and this is the first time a rating has been given to the service since registration.

A registered manager was not in post at the service, however, the manager of the home had applied for registration with the Care Quality Commission, and their application was being processed at the time of this inspection. 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 manager was passionate about ensuring people at the service had a good quality of life and were supported safely. They had worked well with outside professionals and took on board advice and guidance to make a positive difference to the support people received. They used information from mistakes and incidents to learn lessons and improve safety.

There was an open culture at the service which meant staff felt able to raise concerns freely and know that something would be done as a result. People and families told us the registered manager was approachable and visible.

The whole staff team had received refresher training in areas such as manual handling and skill levels were good.

Staff had received training on ensuring people were kept free from harm and abuse. They were confident in management dealing with any issues appropriately.

Good risk assessments and emergency planning were in place. Accidents and incidents were monitored and we noted that these had lessened in this service.

We saw that staffing levels were suitable to meet the assessed needs of people in the service. Staff recruitment was thorough with all checks completed before new staff had access to vulnerable people. The organisation had robust disciplinary procedures in place.

Medicines were well managed. People had their medicines reviewed by their GP and specialist health care providers.

Staff were trained in infection control and supported people in their own environment. Staff we spoke to displayed a caring attitude. They understood how to support people and help them maintain their dignity and privacy.

There were regular internal and external audits of all aspects of the service. Changes were put into place after evaluation of the service. Good recording systems were in place and these covered all the support needs of the people in the service.