During our inspection we spoke with four people using the service, four relatives and three members of staff. We visited the home and observed people using the service during the course of the day.

One person using the service told us they liked living in the home and sitting out in the gardens. They liked the food and the trips out. Another person who used the service told us that the home had good home cooked food and fresh vegetables. Someone using the service told us this was the second home they had lived in and the much preferred it. A relative of someone using the service told us they found the ethos of the home ‘quite inspiring’ and that the home contacted them promptly about any issues relating to their care.

One relative told us their relative had a number of health problems and that the care at Church Farm was much better than the previous home they had lived in.

One member of the care staff told us they had joined the home as an activities co-ordinator but that the person centred approach to care meant they focused on the individual’s needs and spent more time with one person rather than focusing on group activities.

We spoke with two people using the service. They told us their dignity and privacy were respected by staff. One person said, “They’ve been excellent.” They told us staff provided care that met their needs. One person said, “They’ll do anything for you.”

We spoke with five relatives. They told us their relatives’ privacy and dignity were respected. They told us their relatives were well cared for and their needs were met.

However, we looked at the care records for three people using the service. We saw examples where the care records did not include enough up-to-date information about the needs of people using the service and the level of risk that existed.

People using the service who we spoke with told us they felt safe and their belongings and finances were protected.

A person using the service told us the care home was kept clean. They said, “The cleaners are very good I think.” Relatives we spoke with also told us the care home was kept clean.

We looked at the statistics for supervision for all staff. We saw that over 20 staff had not received supervision during the year and 39 out of 77 staff had only received it once. The manager told us only one staff member had received an appraisal. This meant there was a risk staff had not received appropriate support to provide safe care.

People using the service who we spoke with told us they felt listened to and they could have a say in how the service was run.

We carried out the unannounced inspection on 15 and 16 December 2015. Church Farm Nursing Home is run and managed by Church Farming Nursing Home Ltd. The service provides accommodation and nursing care for up to 44 people. On the day of our inspection 44 people were using the service. The service supported people living with varying stages of dementia.

The service had a registered manager in place at the time of our 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were protected from the risk of abuse and staff had a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities if they suspected abuse was happening. Staffing levels were sufficient to support people’s needs and people received care and support when required. People received their medicines as prescribed and the management of medicines was safe.

People were supported by staff who had received training that gave them the knowledge and skills to undertake their roles. People were supported to make decisions and where there was a lack of capacity to make certain decisions; people were protected under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were not deprived of their liberty without the required authorisation.

People were protected from the risks of inadequate nutrition. Specialist diets were provided if needed. Referrals were made to health care professionals when needed.

People who used the service, or their representatives, were encouraged to contribute to the planning of their care and they were treated in a caring and respectful manner. We saw staff were kind and compassionate when supporting people.

People were supported to pursue a varied range of social activities within the home and the broader community. People also felt they could report any concerns to the management team and felt they would be taken seriously.

People who used the service, or their representatives, were encouraged to be involved in the running of the home and systems were in place to monitor the quality of service provision. People also felt they could report any concerns to the management team and felt they would be taken seriously.