This was an unannounced inspection that took place on 20 March 2017. It was undertaken by an adult social care inspector.

Park Lodge is a residential home for up to fifteen people. On the day of our visit there were eleven people in the home. The home cares for older adults, some of whom may be living with dementia or with a learning disability. The home is one of the services operated by Cumbria Care, the in-house provider for Cumbria County Council.

The home is situated in a residential area of Aspatria and is within walking distance of public transport and all the amenities of this small town. Accommodation is in single rooms but one room can be used as a double room. Two rooms have ensuite facilities. The home has suitable toilets and bathrooms. There were a number of lounge and dining areas around the home where people could spend time together.

The home had a suitably qualified and experienced 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 had received suitable training and could talk to us about how they would identify any actual or potential abuse and how they would report this appropriately. Risk assessments and risk management plans were in place and supported people well. Cumbria County Council had ensured that new members of staff had been suitably vetted and that they were the right kind of people to work with vulnerable adults. There had been very few accidents or incidents in the home but any issues had been appropriately reported to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and suitable action taken to lessen the risk of further issues.

We judged the home to be suitably staffed by day and night and the registered manager told us that the staffing levels were kept under constant review. Staff were suitably inducted, trained and developed to give people the best support possible.

Medicines were appropriately managed in the service with people having reviews of their medicines on a regular basis. People in the home saw their GP and health specialists whenever necessary.

The County Council and the registered manager were aware of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 if they judged that people were deprived of their liberty for their own safety. Most people in the home were able to leave the building when they wished and had flexible lifestyle choices. People told us that their consent was sought for any interaction, where possible.

People in the home told us the food was of a very high quality and that they had plenty of choice. Suitable planning was in place where people had problems maintaining a healthy weight.

Park lodge was a purpose built home and the registered manager had ensured that the home was well maintained and updated.

The house was clean, fresh and orderly on the day of our inspection. Good infection control measures were in place.

We observed kind, patient and suitable care being provided. Staff knew people and their families very well. They made sure that confidentiality, privacy and dignity were maintained. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible. Staff were able to deliver good end of life care.

Risk assessments and care plans provided detailed and relevant guidance for staff in the home. People in the service were aware of their care plans and were able to influence the content. The management team had ensured the plans reflected the person centred care that was being delivered.

The home had regular entertainers, activities and parties. Staff took people out locally. People were encouraged to follow their own hobbies and pastimes.

Cumbria County Council had a suitable complaints policy. We had evidence to show that policies and