This inspection took place on 2 and 7 August 2018 and was unannounced.

Ferndale Residential 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. The home is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 17 people and there were 15 people living at the home at the time of the inspection. The people living at the home had a range of needs including those who were living with dementia.

Ferndale Residential Care Home is a detached property in Southborne. The home is near local shops, railway station and a church. It is an older residential property which has been extended and adapted to be suitable as a residential care home. There was a passenger lift so people could access the first floor. All bedrooms were single and four had an en-suite toilet. There is a communal lounge and dining room. A conservatory was used by people as a dining area or for activities. People also had access to a garden and at the time of the inspection people were using this to eat outside in the warm weather.

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. Since the last last inspection we received information of concerns which were investigated by the local authority safeguarding team and the provider. We looked at how the provider looked into two safeguarding concerns raised in the last 12 months. We also checked specific areas where concerns were raised with us recently which were being investigated by the provider and the local authority safeguarding team. These are referred to in the relevant sections of the report. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People and their relatives said they were satisfied with the standard of care provided. For example, one person told us, “I could not ask for a better place – they are all angels.”

Staff were training in safeguarding people and knew what to do if they were concernd about a person’s welfare or well-being.

Assessments of people’s needs and care plans were recorded on a recently introduced computer system which staff accessed via specialist smartphones. The system gave staff quick acces to care plans and prompted them to deliver the agreed care to people. The premises and equipment were safely maintained. Sufficient numbers of care staff were deployed to meet people’s needs. Checks were made to ensure staff were suitable to work in a care setting and appropriate action was taken where staff performance was a concern. Medicines were safely managed. The home was clean and hygienic with no offensive odours. Incidents or accidents were reviewed and action taken to reduce the likelihood of any reoccurrence.

The staff had a good links with health care professsionals and specialist services regarding the correct procedures to support people. Staff were well trained and supervised. The staff felt supported and valued.

People’s nutritional needs were assessed and people were supported to eat and drink. Health care needs were monitored and referals made to other services to ensure there was a coordinated approach to people’s care. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were treated with kindness, dignity and in a way which promoted their rights to a good standard of care. People’s privacy was respected.

People received personalised care which was responsive to their needs. The provider identified and met peo

The inspection took place on 7 December 2015 and was unannounced.

Ferndale House Residential Home provides care and accommodation for up to 17 people and there were 16 people living at the home when we inspected. These people were all aged over 80 years and were all living with dementia.

All bedrooms were single. Four of these bedrooms had an en suite toilet. There was a communal lounge and dining area which people were observed using. There was also a conservatory which people used as a dining area or for activities. A passenger lift was provided so people could access the first floor.

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.

Staff were trained in adult safeguarding procedures and knew what to do if they considered people were at risk of harm or if they needed to report any suspected abuse. People said they felt safe at the home.

Care records showed any risks to people were assessed and there was guidance of how those risks should be managed to prevent any risk of harm.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. Staff recruitment procedures ensured only those staff suitable to work in a care setting were employed.

People received their medicines safely.

The CQC monitors the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Staff were trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People’s capacity to consent to their care and treatment was assessed and decisions made in their best interest and in line with relevant legislation.

There was a choice of food and people were complimentary about the meals. The provider consulted people about the food and meal choices.

Staff were skilled in working with people who were living with dementia and had access to a range of relevant training courses to enable them to meet people’s individual needs.

People’s health care needs were assessed, monitored and recorded. Referrals for assessment and treatment were made when needed and people received regular health checks. A GP commented that the staff worked well with them to meet people’s health care needs.

Staff were observed to treat people with kindness and dignity. People were able to exercise choice in how they spent their time. Staff took time to consult with people before providing care and showed they cared about the people in the home. Staff were skilled in providing end of life care to people.

Each person’s needs were assessed and this included obtaining a background history of people. Care plans showed how people’s needs were to be met and how staff should support people. Care was individualised to reflect people’s preferences.

Staff supported people with activities and there was an activities programme which included entertainment and gentle exercise.

The complaints procedure was provided to people and their relatives. People said they had opportunities to express their views or concerns. There was a record to show complaints were looked into and any actions taken as a result of the complaint.

Staff demonstrated values of treating people with dignity, respect and as individuals. People’s and stakeholder professionals’ views about the quality of the service were sought. Staff views were also sought and staff were able to contribute to decision making in the home.

A number of audits and checks were used to check on the effectiveness, safety and quality of the service which the provider used to make any improvements.