The Fountains Care Centre is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The Fountains Care Centre can accommodate 62 older people with dementia and/or nursing needs. There were 53 people using the service during the inspection.

This inspection took place on 15 November 2018. The inspection was unannounced and was the first one since the service has been registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). However, the service was previously registered with CQC under a different legal entity.

The service had 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.

The service had safeguarding procedures in place and staff had received training in these. Staff had a good understanding of what constituted abuse and how to report any concerns to keep people safe. Potential risks to people’s health and well-being were identified, reviewed and managed effectively.

There were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s individual needs. Effective recruitment practices were followed to ensure staff employed were suitable to support people.

People received their medicines safely and when they should. There was a comprehensive medicines policy in place.

Staff were supported to maintain and develop their skills through training and development opportunities. There was a training programme in place to address identified training needs.

Staff were aware of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and had undertaken training to make sure they had knowledge and skills to support people who did not have capacity to make their own decisions. People and their relatives were involved in the assessment and planning of their care and support. People received care and support that was personalised and responsive to their individual needs.

People were supported to eat and drink and maintain a balanced diet based on their needs and preferences. Staff had developed good relationships with people who used the service. They were caring in their approach and had a good understanding of people’s likes, dislikes and preferences. People’s privacy and dignity were respected.

People’s health care needs were monitored and met as referrals were made to the appropriate health care professionals when needed. Staff encouraged people to participate in activities that were meaningful to them.

There were effective management systems to monitor and improve the quality of service provided. The provider sought feedback about the service from people who used the service, their relatives and other health professionals.

The provider had a complaints policy and procedures which included the timescales in which a person would receive a response. The importance of confidentiality was understood and respected by staff.