We inspected this service on 10th October 2017. Penhurst Gardens Care Home is a new service that opened in December 2016. It is registered to provide personal or nursing care and accommodation for up to 58 people. On the day of our inspection 16 people were living at the service. Two more people were being admitted on the day of our inspection and further admissions were planned for the upcoming weeks. People only occupied the ground floor with a view for the first floor to become operational when more people moved in. This was our first inspection at this service.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

There was a positive culture within the service that reflected the provider's stated aim of providing support 'created with you in mind'. The registered manager and the team had a clear vision about how they wished the service to be provided to people. Staff talked about 'personalised support' and they aimed to improve people's lives and enable them to live the lives the way they wanted. People were supported by skilled, knowledgeable staff that provided people with effective care. Staff effectively supported people in a way that recognised them as individuals and enhanced their well-being.

People had exceptional opportunities to enhance their social inclusion and participate in various activities that met their needs and took account of their preferences. Feedback from people reflected that activities provision enhanced their well-being and sense of purpose.

People's care plans were current and gave clear guidance to staff on how people wished to be supported. Staff knew people's needs well and used this knowledge to provide people with personalised care that put their well-being at the centre of the service delivery.

Staff benefited from training and support that was focused on motivating them and recognizing individual strengths. The provider ensured staff were supported to develop their work practices as well as assisted them with personal growth. Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the management. Staff supervisions and meetings were carried out regularly. Staff told us the management was very approachable and supportive and that there was good communication between the departments.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The records surrounding processes of assessing people's capacity were detailed and reflected staff involved people as much as possible. Staff had excellent understanding of MCA and people's rights to make their own decisions were respected.

People were complimentary about the quality of food at the service. The registered manager ensured procedures were in place so people had balanced diet and received their correct meals that met their dietary needs and preferences. The meal service we observed was an example of a very positive, social experience enjoyed by people. This included people who chose to remain in their bedrooms.

People complimented the caring nature of staff. People's dignity, privacy and confidentiality were respected. People's end of life wishes had been recorded and people were supported to have a pain free and dignified death.

People told us they were safe at the service and did not need to wait for the support. There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to keep people safe. Appropriate checks were carried out before staff started to wor