The inspection took place on 21 & 22 January 2019 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection of this service and therefore the service was not previously rated.

Daffodil 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.

The care home accommodates 30 people. Daffodil Lodge Care Home is a large detached building set within a corner plot located in Southport close to the town centre. Daffodil Lodge provide accommodation and care for persons aged from 50 years of age and above, whom require personal care and/or dementia care. Bedrooms were of a single occupancy. Corridors enabled the use of wheelchairs and there was disabled access to the garden. At the time of the inspection 24 people were in receipt of care at the home.

A registered manager was in post. 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.

We viewed four people’s care records and found in the main these provided evidence of the care and support people needed though there were some anomalies. Following the inspection, the registered manager undertook a care review to ensure people’s support plans recorded up to date and accurate information about people’s care and support. The registered manager has also implemented care document and person-centred document training for staff to improve the completion of the care records. The registered manager took prompt action in response to our findings.

People told us they felt safe. Systems were in place for safeguarding people from the risk of abuse and reporting any concerns that arose. Staff had received training and knew what action to take if they felt people were at risk

Staff sought consent from people before providing support. When people were unable to consent, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 were followed in that assessment of the person's mental capacity was made to protect them. This included applications to the local authority for a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DoLS) for people. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

Our observations showed when staff were supporting people they were attentive, caring and respectful in their approach. People and relatives, we spoke with, told us they liked the staff team and they were polite and helpful always.

People and relatives were involved in the planning of their care to support them and kept up to date with matters relating to their health and welfare.

There was enough staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe.

People were offered a good choice of meals and alternatives were offered if the menu choices were not to their liking.

People’s medication was safely managed and they received it on time and as prescribed. Staff were trained and deemed competent to administer medicines.

Staff had a good understanding of people's individual care needs and appropriate referrals to external healthcare professionals took place.

Risks to people’s safety and wellbeing were recorded to enable staff to support people safely whilst promoting their independence. Accidents and incidents were recorded and an analysis undertaken to look for trends or patterns to minimise the risk of re-occurrence.

People were supported with end of life care at the appropriate time.

Staff received training and support to undertake their job role.

Systems were in place and followed to recruit staff and check they were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

We found the environment