This inspection took place on 19 and 24 February 2016. This was an unannounced inspection. We have not inspected this service since it changed ownership in 2014.

Poplars Care Home provides accommodation and care for 14 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. There were 14 people living at the home when we visited. The home is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac near to Southampton University and Southampton Common.

The home had a registered manager who was also the provider. They had appointed a manager and had made application for them to become the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This meant the manager was a dual registered person. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People’s capacity to make decisions was assessed. The provider was aware of their responsibility under the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Risk assessments covered environmental and personal safety aspects of people’s care. People were protected from abuse as staff had received training in safeguarding and knew how to report any concerns. The provider had appropriate processes and policies in place regarding safeguarding. There were sufficient staff to support people. Staff received sufficient training and supervisions to enable them to provide appropriate care. There were safe recruitment practices to ensure staff were suitable to work in the home.

Medicines were stored, administered and monitored appropriately. We observed people receiving their medicines safely. Concerns about hygiene in one part of the home had been identified and action taken to address this.

People received support to eat and drink and maintain healthy diets. People were able to access support to maintain good health. People had access to medical support when they required it either in the home or to attend appointments.

People and staff told us about the homely feel of the home which encouraged strong and positive relationships between them. People said they were treated kindly by friendly staff. Staff demonstrated how they treated people with dignity and respect. Staff respected people’s privacy and prompted them to be as independent as possible.

Where people were unable to express their views and be involved in decisions about their care, the service engaged the relatives who had appropriate authority to make those decisions. Some people felt they were involved in decisions about their care and others knew their relatives did this on their behalf.

There was a positive culture that was person centred. People, their relatives and staff told us how approachable and open the provider and manager were. The manager and provider were supportive to staff and communicated well with relatives, people and staff about their plans for the service. The provider and manager carried out a wide range of audits to monitor the quality of the service they provided.