The inspection took place on 20 and 21 September 2016 and was unannounced.

The Abbeyfield Ferring Society residential care home, also known as Cornwell House, is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to 20 older people with a variety of needs. At the time of our inspection, 20 people were accommodated at the home, including one person who was receiving respite care. Cornwell House is situated in Ferring, a village approximately three miles to the west of Worthing. The home is detached with an accessible garden and summer house to the rear of the property. Communal areas include a large lounge downstairs, and a smaller upstairs lounge, dining room and conservatory. All rooms have en-suite facilities comprising a toilet and washbasin. Upstairs accommodation is accessible via a lift.

A registered manager was 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.

People told us they felt safe living at the home and that they were protected from abuse or harm by trained staff. Risks to people were identified, assessed and managed safely and guidance provided to staff on mitigating people’s risks. Risk assessments were reviewed monthly or more frequently if an accident or incident sustained by a person required earlier review. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and safe recruitment practices were in place. Generally, people’s medicines were managed safely.

Staff had been trained in a range of areas, usually by the registered manager, who had appropriate training qualifications. New staff studied for the Care Certificate, a universally recognised qualification. Staff had regular supervision meetings with the registered manager which included observations of their work and spot checks. Team meetings were held twice a year. Staff had a good understanding of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and put this into practice. People were involved in decisions relating to their care and had signed consent forms. People were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink and to maintain a healthy diet. They spoke positively about the menu choices on offer. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. People were encouraged to personalise their rooms.

People were cared for and supported by kind, friendly staff who knew them well. People spoke highly of the care staff and we observed staff engaged with people in a warm and empathic way. People were encouraged to express their views and to be involved in making decisions about their care. They told us they were treated with dignity and respect by staff. Some people had made decisions about their end of life care.

A range of activities was on offer to people and these reflected people’s interests which had been identified through a questionnaire sent out in January 2016. Minibus outings were organised each month and people were also supported by staff to access the gardens surrounding the home and out into the community, for example, a visit to the shops or down to the beach. Care plans provided comprehensive, detailed information about people and guidance to staff on how they wished to be cared for. Complaints were managed in line with the provider’s policy.

People were actively involved in developing the service through residents’ meetings which were held three or four times a year and through formal questionnaires. Their relatives were also involved and invited to residents’ meetings. Feedback was obtained from relatives through annual questionnaires which asked for their views about the quality of care delivery, staff and management and about the premises.

During our visit we spoke to two people who used the service and four members of staff. People told us that they were involved in all aspects of their care and that they were able to make decisions regarding this. We were told by a person that ' that they always listen to what I want and treat me with respect. They are all really caring'.

People had upto date care plans and risk assessments that were regularly reviewed and that met their support needs.

We found that staff received annual safeguarding training and had a good understanding of their responsibilities regarding this.

We found that the provider had an adequate number of skilled staff in order to provide individualised care. All staff received regular training and were well supported. We saw that staff had appropriate qualifications and experience in order to meet the care needs of the people.

The provider had systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service people received.

During our visit we spoke to two people who used the service and three members of staff. People told us they were involved in their assessment and staff provided care according to their needs. One person said, "Staff are very caring and they consult me about my care and they treat me with respect".

People had care plans and risk assessments in place that met their support needs.

We found staff had received training in safeguarding people from abuse. Staff we spoke with knew how to identify and report concerns.

We looked at the recruitment process and found all checks had been carried out. We saw that staff had appropriate qualifications and experience.

The provider had systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of service people received.