We spoke with seven people and two relatives about the accommodation and they told us they were very happy with their rooms and with other areas of the home. People’s comments included, “It’s very well decorated and clean,” “My room is good, it’s a canny room” and “I don’t need much, but what I do need I’ve got it in my room.” One relative told us, “It’s very clean and it always smells immaculate.”

The provider had arrangements in place for the on-going maintenance of the building.

We found that people were protected against the risk of unsafe or unsuitable premises.

The name of the registered manager does not appear in this report, as the manager in post was awaiting CQC registration.

Thirty two people were using this service at the time of our inspection. We spoke with four people who use the service. People told us they were happy with the care and support they received at Holywell Dene Care Home. One person said, “Yes I like it here, the staff are very nice.”

Relationships between staff and people were clearly good. People told us staff treated them with respect and helped them to remain as independent as possible.

We found people's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. People were complimentary about the meals provided at the home. One person said, "The food is very very good, you couldn't fault it."

As a result of our findings on the day we looked at the safety and suitability of premises. We walked around the building and found that they were of a suitable design and layout, but not always adequately maintained.

We found that people, staff and visitors were protected from unsafe or unsuitable equipment because the provider ensured that a maintenance timetable was in place.

We found that there were suitable numbers of skilled, qualified and experienced staff on duty.

We saw that people’s personal records, staff records and other records relevant to the management of the home were accurate and fit for purpose.

We spoke with four people about their experiences of the care and support they had received from this service. People said they had received a good service and they felt well supported. They told us staff were kind and helpful. They said staff knew the support they needed and responded promptly to any requests. One person told us, “I can spend time in my own room. I am happy here. I like the food and we get a choice. This works well for me as I like to have salads regularly.” A relative told us, “I am very satisfied with the care X gets and I find the staff good. I think they have a good relationship with the people who live here.”

We saw relationships between staff and people were good and there was a relaxed atmosphere. People told us staff asked them for their consent before they provided their care. They said staff spoke to them respectfully and they were consulted about their care preferences.

There was a planned refurbishment plan in place for the premises. Accommodation was comfortable and clean.

Staff recruitment procedures were followed and appropriate checks were undertaken before staff began work.

There were effective complaint procedures in place and people were aware of how to make a complaint. People were satisfied staff listened to their views.

We did not speak to people who lived in the home during this review.

Holywell Dene Care Home is a care home providing care to a maximum of 48 older people, some of whom have needs associated with dementia. 39 people were living at the service at the time of our visits. One person had been admitted for short term care. Nursing care is not provided. The accommodation is provided across three floors. The home had a registered manager who was on long term leave at the time of the inspection. A temporary manager was in charge of the home.

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.

This inspection took place on 19, 20 and 26 November 2014 and was unannounced. There were 39 people living at the service at the time of our inspection. People’s accommodation was spread across three floors. Kitchen and laundry services were located in the basement level. The service provided care to older people, some of whom were living with dementia. People living with dementia were accommodated on all three floors.

We last inspected Holywell Dene Care Home on 28 October 2013. At this inspection we found the service was meeting all the essential standards we assessed.

We found people were safe at the service. The building was clean and well maintained, no trip hazards were noted, risks were assessed and staff were trained in safety, emergency and safeguarding procedures. The service had sufficient staff on duty. Staff recruitment, staff disciplinary processes and the arrangements for managing medicines ensured, as far as possible, people were protected from harm.

People told us that they, and their families, had been included in planning and agreeing to the care provided. We saw that people had an individual plan, detailing the support they needed and how they wanted this to be provided. We found people’s support was provided as detailed in their care plans and people’s needs had been thoroughly assessed. This meant people receive support in the way they needed it.

The staff on duty knew the people they were supporting and the choices they had made about their care and their lives. Most people were supported to maintain their independence and control over their lives but one person commented that their independence was restricted due to the security of the building. This was because they felt capable of going in the garden themselves but needed staff to operate the security key pad.

People were treated with kindness and respect. They were afforded choices with regard to activities and getting out and about, though we found the menus rather restrictive. Arrangements for special diets, support with eating and presentation of food were satisfactory.

The provider monitored the service well through a combination of audits carried out by the staff at the service, quality assurance visits by the provider’s representatives, gathering of data from the service and use of surveys. We received positive comments about the temporary manager.