This inspection took place on 16 February 2017 and was unannounced. The home provides accommodation for up to 48 older people. There were 17 people living at the home when we visited, some of whom were living with dementia. The home was organised over two floors, with one floor dedicated to people living with dementia.

A registered manager was not 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. The service had appointed a new manager whose intention it was to register with CQC. In the interim, the deputy manager had been overseeing the running of the service.

Staff spoke highly of the deputy manager and told us they had made changes around the home, which had a positive effect on the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of the service. The provider also had provided additional resources to support the deputy manager in the absence of a registered manager.

There were systems and processes in place to monitor the safety of the home and the quality of care. The deputy manager carried out regular auditing and checking to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the home environment. Incidents were used to enhance learning, understanding, leading to changes to prevent them re-occurring

There were systems in place to manage the safe ordering, storage, administration and disposal of people’s medicines. The service had made changes to its medicines management system to respond to errors and improve effectiveness. The service had established good working relationships with doctors and other healthcare services and people were encouraged to follow a diet, which was in line with their nutritional needs.

The service had made developments to make people’s care plans more person centred, including details about their routines, preferences and life histories. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported and were committed in their roles. Staff understood how to protect people’s rights and the importance of treating them with dignity and respect.

Staff sought consent from people before providing care and support. People’s ability to make decisions was assessed in line with legal requirements, ensuring their rights were protected and their liberty was not unlawfully restricted. Decisions were taken in the best interests of people.

Staff received appropriate training and supervision to carry out their roles effectively. Staff had received training in safeguarding and understood how to raise concerns if required. Risks to people’s wellbeing were clearly identified and managed to reduce the likelihood of harm.

The provider sought feedback from people using residents meetings and questionnaires, making changes to act on people’s suggestions. There was a complaints policy in place and people understood how to raise concerns.

There was a range of activities available to people which they were encouraged to participate in. The provider had made some adaptations to make it a suitable environment for people living with dementia.