Goldthorn 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. Goldthorn Lodge accommodates up to 12 people in one adapted building with individual rooms and two flats. At the time of the inspection there were 12 people using the service.

This inspection took place on 17 December 2018 and was unannounced. At the last inspection completed on 26 May 2016 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. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

There was a registered manager in post 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were happy at the home and staff understood how to protect people from abuse. People were supported by sufficient staff and risks to their safety were assessed and planned for. People received their medicines as prescribed and staff followed procedures to protect people from the risk of cross infection. When things went wrong there was a process in place to learn and make changes.

Peoples needs were assessed and planned for and they received consistent support from suitably skilled staff. People received the support with food and drinks that they needed. Health needs were understood and the environment was suitable for people’s needs. People had choice and control of their lives and staff were aware of how to support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service were supportive of this practice.

People were supported by caring staff who knew them well. People had support to live as independently as possible and were supported to make choices. Communication needs were assessed and people had their privacy and dignity maintained.

Peoples needs and preferences were understood by staff and they were supported to engage in the community and do activities of their choice. People could make a complaint and there was a system in place to respond. People’s end of life wishes were considered.

The registered manager understood their role and notifications were submitted as required. We saw people, relatives, staff and other professionals gave their feedback about the service and this was used to shape changes. Governance systems were effective in ensuring people’s needs were met safely. The provider sought to continuously improve the service and work in partnership with other organisations.

This inspection was unannounced and took place on 26 May 2016. Goldthorn Lodge is registered to provide accommodation for up to 12 people who require personal care and support. On the day of the inspection there were 10 people living at the home. There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People told us they felt safe living at the home. Staff knew how to identify signs of potential abuse and were aware of how to report any concerns. People’s risks were assessed and regularly reviewed. Incidents were recorded and reviewed to reduce the likelihood of further occurrences. People received their medicines as prescribed.

People and their relatives told us staff knew them and understood how to meet their needs. Staff received training relevant to their role and felt supported by the nursing team and the registered manager. People’s capacity had been assessed and staff were aware of how to support people in a way that was in their best interests. Staff asked for people’s consent before provided them with care or support. People told us they enjoyed the food and drink provided and were supported to access relevant healthcare professionals when they needed them.

People told us they liked the way staff supported them. Staff understood people’s needs as well as their likes and dislikes. People were supported in a way that maintain their privacy and upheld their dignity.

People were encouraged to participate in activities they enjoyed. Where people’s needs changed staff knew how to report it and action was taken to ensure people’s needs were met. People and their relatives were confident in raising concerns or complaints and there was a system in place to ensure these were managed appropriately.

People, their relatives and staff felt the home was well managed and felt able to give feedback when needed. Staff felt supported by the management team and expressed confidence in the registered manager. There were systems in place that effectively monitored the quality of care provided and the registered manager had notified us of things they were required to do by law.