This unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on the 12 February 2018. The last comprehensive inspection took place on the 11January 2016. The service was meeting the requirements of the regulations at that time.

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.

Polventon is situated close to the village of St Keverne on the Lizard peninsula. The service provides single room accommodation for up to nineteen predominantly elderly people who need assistance with personal care, including those with a dementia related illness. At the time of the inspection there were nineteen people using the service. The service is situated over two floors which are served by a passenger lift and stair lift. There is also a lower ground floor with two rooms. People using these rooms require mobility to use a small flight of stairs. There were two rooms with en suite facilities and two bathrooms including an assisted bath on the ground floor and shower room on the first floor. A lounge/dining room is situated on the ground floor as well as another main lounge. There are a range of aids and adaptations to support people with limited mobility.

Guidance for staff in respect of managing risk were not always in place. One person had been assessed as being at risk of hot surfaces and radiators. There was a mobile radiator in the person’s room. The staff knew about this risk and took actions to prevent harm by additional monitoring. However this information was not being recorded meaning staff might not have the information they needed to keep the person safe. The registered provider took immediate action to address this issue. We have made a recommendation about this in the well led section of this report.

The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits, staff, relative and ‘resident’ meetings to seek their views about the service provided.

We found staff had been recruited safely, received on going training relevant to their role and supported by the registered manager. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people in their care. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet the needs of people who lived at the home.

We observed staff providing support to people throughout our inspection visit. The staff were kind, patient and treated people with respect.

There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staff completed a thorough recruitment process to ensure they had the appropriate skills and knowledge. Staff were supported by a system of induction training, supervision and appraisals.

Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff had a good understanding of how to identify and act on any allegations of abuse.

People's rights were protected because staff acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The principles of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were understood and applied correctly.

Meals were appetising and people were offered a choice in line with their dietary requirements and preferences. Where necessary staff monitored what people ate to help ensure they stayed healthy, although these records were not always completed by staff for each meal, or checked to ensure people had sufficient food and drink. People told us the food was good.

The manager used effective systems to record and report on, accidents and incidents and take action when required.

Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed. This reduced the risk of cross infection. Supplies were available around the building for staff to use when they needed them.

There was a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home and their relatives. People we spoke with told us th

Polventon Residential Care Home is a care home which provides accommodation for up to 19 older people who require personal care. At the time of the inspection 19 people were using the service. Some of the people who lived at Polventon Residential Care Home needed care and support due to dementia, mental health needs sensory and /or physical disabilities.

There was a registered manager at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

We inspected Polventon Residential Care Home on 11 and 12 January 2016. The inspection was unannounced. The service was last inspected in February 2014 when it was found to be meeting the requirements of the regulations.

People told us they felt safe at the service and with the staff who supported them. People told us, “Staff are very nice,” and “Everything is pretty good all round.” A health professional told us “I can absolutely say that Polventon is a caring, well managed home where people are respected and listened to, and their needs are taken care of, emotionally, socially as well as medically.”

People told us they received their medicines on time. Medicines administration records were kept appropriately and medicines were stored and managed to a good standard.

Staff had been suitably trained to recognise potential signs of abuse. Staff told us they would be confident to report concerns to management, and thought management would deal with any issues appropriately.

Staff training was delivered to a good standard, and staff received updates about important skills such as moving and handling at regular intervals. Staff also received training about the needs of people with dementia, and minimising conflict and aggression.

Recruitment processes were satisfactory as pre-employment checks had been completed to help ensure people’s safety. This included two written references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, which helped find out if a person was suitable to work with vulnerable adults.

People had access to medical professionals such as a general practitioner, dentist, chiropodist and an optician. People said they received enough support from these professionals. We received positive comments from health professions such as, “The management have been quick to respond to any issues that may arise and contact the GP, social workers or Community Psychiatric Nurses seeking the appropriate support when needed.”

There were enough staff on duty and people said they received timely support from staff when it was needed. People said call bells were answered promptly and we observed staff being attentive to people’s needs.

The service had a programme of organised activities. These activities included musicians, group activities such as exercise sessions, bingo, and arts and crafts. Some external activities were available. The service has a vehicle which was used for outings.

Care files contained information such as a care plan and these were regularly reviewed. The service had appropriate systems in place to assess people’s capacity in line with legislation and guidance, for example using the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

People were very happy with their meals. Everyone said they always had enough to eat and drink. Comments received about the meals included “Absolutely gorgeous, “and, “Brilliant, could not wish for more.” People said they received enough support when they needed help with eating or drinking.

People we spoke with said if they had any concerns or complaints they would feel confident discussing these with staff members or management, or they would ask their relative to resolve the problem. They were sure the correct action would be taken if they made a complaint.

People felt the service was well managed. We were told

During our inspection we spoke with the registered manager, two members of staff and two people who were living at Polventon Residential Care Home. People told us the atmosphere in the home was "very good" and the staff were "very patient and kind".

People were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

During our inspection we spoke with the registered manager, registered provider, four members of staff, four people who were living at Polventon Residential Care Home, and one person who was providing activities on a voluntary basis.

Each person had a care plan in place which stated their individual needs. People had access to a range of services including hairdresser, chiropodist and GP’s. People who lived at Polventon Residential Care Home told us the “care is exceptionally good” and the staff were “very nice”.

People were not protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider did not have appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

Not all the staff were supported formally by the registered manager. There was not an effective system in place to ensure staff had received the appropriate training in line with their job role and responsibilities.

The provider had an effective system in place to gain the thoughts and experiences of people who lived at the home, their representatives and medical professionals.

During our inspection we spoke with three people who lived at Polventon residential home. People told us they were "well looked after" and that the staff were "very nice and helpful".

People told us how they spent their day. The staff respected the likes and dislikes of the people who lived at the home.

Staff demonstrated a sound knowledge of the care needs of the people that lived in the home. Everyone had a care plan in place.

There was a robust system in place to ensure that if requested people's money was held securely and was accessible to them should they require it.

There were systems in place to ensure the environment and equipment was safe for the people that lived at the home and for the staff.

Staff felt supported by the manager. However we did not see any evidence of formal supervisions. Some staff had not completed training for manual handling or safeguarding.

We spoke to several people using the service and they said they were very comfortable and happy living at Polventon House. They said the home was well maintained and kept very clean.

They all said the staff were kind and caring and their needs were met. They said there were enough staff to meet their needs and the home was well managed. They all spoke highly of the activities co-ordinator and said there was always different things to do in the home.

They told us the food was good and there were always choices at mealtimes. One person particularly enjoyed the cooked breakfasts.

They told us they had no complaints but could easily raise issues with the owner, the manager or any of the staff if the need arose.