The Gables is registered to provide personal care for up to 28 older adults. This inspection was unannounced and took place on 28 September 2016. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people living there.

There was a registered manager at this service. 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. At our last inspection in January 2014 the provider was fully compliant in all areas inspected.

During our inspection visit we observed that staff were friendly, kind and attentive to people. They spent time sitting with people to offer them comfort or stimulation. We observed staff delivering care which met people’s individual needs and which supported them in a respectful and caring manner.

There were training and processes in place for staff to follow to keep people safe and staff followed these. People’s physical and mental health was promoted. Staff were trained to meet the needs of the people they were caring for. Medicines were stored appropriately and were administered and recorded as prescribed.

We saw staff ensured people were comfortable and had their needs met. We saw people were supported in a relaxed and unhurried manner. Staff were caring and communicated well with people. Lunch was the highlight of the day and care was taken to ensure people had time to socialise and to enjoy their food.

Staff focused on people they were caring for rather that the task they were carrying out. Staff knew the people they were caring for and what was important to them. Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and this was demonstrated in their responses to people and recognition of when people required additional support.

People’s privacy was respected. People had their independence promoted. Where possible they were offered choice on how they wanted their care delivered and were given choices throughout the day.

People were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends. Visitors were welcomed at any time. Records we looked at were personalised and included decisions people had made about their care including their likes, dislikes and personal preferences. People were assisted to pursue their interests and hobbies.

The service was managed in an inclusive manner. People and staff had their wishes and knowledge respected. Staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities in relation to people’s care.

We spoke with eight people living at the home and four family representatives or close friends. People told us they were happy at the home and well cared for. They told us staff were always helpful to them and were able to meet their needs. Relatives who spoke with us also supported this.

We observed a meal time.The meal was well presented and the dining experience was pleasant. People told us they enjoyed all the meals they had and were given choices if there was something they did not like.

We observed people being asked if they wanted their medicines. People told us they could ask for “pain killers” when they wanted them and knew they would be given to them when needed.

We found not all information was transferred to the care plan as a communication book was used. This could lead to information about a person being lost as it was not recorded in the correct place.

We visited The Gables Private Residential Care Home to follow up one area of non compliance from our previous visit. We did not speak with people who used the service during this visit, although we spoke with manager, a number of care workers and the administrator and reviewed the quality assurance systems.

We saw that residents, relatives and staff had been asked their views about the service through quality questionnaires. The information in the questionnaires was being analysed at the time of our visit. However, the provider had already taken action to address issues raised in the questionnaires. For example, training on end of life care and dementia care had been arranged as a result of comments in staff questionnaires. Systems to improve communication between staff and relatives had been introduced in response to comments in relative questionnaires.

Plans were in place to hold 'residents meetings' although these had not taken place at the time of our visit. These meeting will offer people the opportunity to make suggestions about how the service was run.

People's views and experiences about how their care was delivered were being taken into account. Care workers told us how they involved people in reviewing their care. They told us they discussed the planned care with the person and asked them if they were satisfied with the way in which the care was delivered, or if they wished to make any changes.

People expressed their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. People we spoke with had a clear understanding of their needs and were able to tell us about the care and support the service and care workers provided for them. People told us they were happy with the care and support provided. One person told us “I am very happy here, the staff are very good”. Another said “I am a lot better since I came to live here, I am really happy”.

Relatives were also happy with the support provided. One relative told us “I can not praise them enough, they always tell me what is going on, they are really nice staff”. Relatives told us staff recognised when people were unwell and required treatment, and responded to their needs.

People told us they were not aware of their care plans, although care workers asked them on a daily basis what support they required from staff, and supported them to remain as independent as possible. Relatives told us they were involved in decisions about the care, treatment and support their family member received. Relatives told us there was good communication between the care workers and families. One person told us “The staff tell me straight away if there are any changes with mum.”

People told us care workers respected their privacy and dignity. They told us care workers knock on bedroom doors prior to entering, and answer the staff call system when people request assistance.

We saw people joining in with organised activities, watching the television or sitting quietly reading the newspaper. One person told us they preferred to remain in their bedroom and this was respected by the care workers. People told us they were happy with activities provided. People told us they continue to go out into the community with their family or friends. People told us they enjoyed the meals provided. One person told us “The meals are very good”.

We asked people and their relatives what they would do if they were unhappy. People told us they would tell a member of staff and the issues would be dealt with. People also told us they have not needed to raise any concerns with staff.