This inspection took place on 31 July 2018 and was unannounced. Rectory Court can accommodate up to 41 people. This is the first inspection of Rectory Court since their registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 10 November 2017.

The service is situated in a purpose built large building with a large communal area, bedrooms and bathrooms located across three floors. Rectory Court is a ‘care home’. 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. At the time of this inspection 16 people were living at the service.

Rectory Court has a 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 followed the provider’s safeguarding policy and processes. Staff knew how to manage an allegation of abuse and reported this promptly. Training in safeguarding adults was completed by staff.

Risks to people were assessed and managed to keep people safe. Risk management plans guided staff on how to manage those identified risks.

Medicines for people were managed safely. Staff had their competency assessed in medicine management before supporting people with the administration of medicines. There were systems in place for the storage, ordering and disposal of medicines.

There was enough staff working at the service. The registered manager arranged sufficient staff to support people’s care and support needs.

Staff were supported in their jobs. Staff were supported with an induction programme, training, supervision and an appraisal.

Staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and protected people’s rights. People gave staff their consent to receive care and support. Care documents were signed and agreed to by people or their relatives.

People had enough to eat and drink throughout the day. Meals were cooked on site and the chef prepared a menu which people could choose from. This menu was flexible enough to meet people’s preferences and nutritional needs.

Staff referred people for health and social care advice. People had access to specialist services when their health care needs changed.

People said staff respected them and were kind and compassionate. People’s care and support was carried out in privacy which promoted their dignity.

People were encouraged to take part in activities that interested them. Staff supported people inside and outside the service with activities they enjoyed.

Assessments were completed with the involvement of people and their relatives. Assessments determined whether staff had the skills and knowledge to support people at the service and meet their needs. People’s care and support was person centred. Assessments and care plans focussed on the needs and preferences of people requiring care.

Staff and people discussed end of life care. This enabled staff to record and carry out people’s wishes and these were recorded so that people’s needs and preferences were met at this point in their lives.

The provider had a system in place where people could make a complaint about the service. People and their relatives confirmed they could discuss any concerns with the registered manager or other senior staff and were confident their concerns would be dealt with effectively.

The registered manager fulfilled their requirements of their registration with the CQC. The CQC were kept informed of incidents that occurred at the service.

Staff were complimentary about the service. They said the registered manager and other senior staff were supportive and listened to them and any concerns