This was an unannounced inspection that took place on 21 March 2018.

The Good Companions (Cumbria) Limited (known as Good Companions) is situated in the Victorian seaside town of Silloth overlooking the Solway Firth.

Good Companions 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. When we last inspected this service in January 2016 we rated it as 'Good'.

The home accommodates up to 39 people in a large adapted period property. At the time of our visit there were 39 people living there.

The home had a suitably qualified and experienced 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 focused on people enjoying a meaningful day. Activities were plentiful and varied. People were encouraged and supported to access their local community. The home was very much part of the community and took part in local competitions and charitable events. The people who lived there told us they were extremely happy with their lives within the home. We were told about multiple examples of person-centred activities and events which had been tailored to meet people’s individual wishes and aspirations.

Risk assessments and care plans provided guidance for staff in the home. People in the service were involved in the creating of support plans and were able to influence the content. The management team had ensured the plans reflected the person centred care that was being delivered.

The staff team understood how to protect vulnerable adults from harm and abuse. Staff had received suitable training and talked to us about how they would identify any issues and how they would report them appropriately. Risk assessments and risk management plans supported people well. Arrangements were in place to ensure that new members of staff had been suitably checked before commencing employment. Any accidents or incidents had been reported to the Care Quality Commission as nesessary and suitable action taken to lessen the risk of further issues.

The registered manager ensured that there were sufficient staff to meet people's needs in a timely manner. Our findings corroborated this. Staff were suitably inducted, trained and developed to give the best care possible. We met experienced and kind team members who understood people's needs as well as new staff who were keen to learn.

Medicines were appropriately managed in the service with people having reviews of their medicines on a regular basis. People in the home saw their GP and health specialists whenever necessary. They accessed hospital appointments as a matter of routine.

We saw that an assessment of needs was in place and that the staff team analysed the outcomes of care for effectiveness. People were very happy with the food provided and we saw well prepared healthy meals that staff supported and encouraged people to eat.

The home itself was warm, clean and comfortable on the day we visited. Suitable equipment was in place to support people with their mobility.

The staff team were aware of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

We observed kind, patient and suitable support being provided. Staff knew people and their families very well. They made sure that confidentiality, privacy and dignity were maintained. No one was receiving end of life care when we visited but st

This inspection took place on the 8 and 12 January 2016 and was unannounced. This service was last inspected in May 2013.

The Good Companions (Cumbria) Limited provides personal care to 39 older people some of whom may have complex needs. It is situated in the town of Silloth overlooking the Solway Firth.

Accommodation is provided in single rooms all but one have en-suite facilities. There is a passenger lift and stair lifts giving access to the upper floors. There are three lounges and a dining room allowing freedom of movement about the home. There is a garden area for residents to use

and car parking facilities.

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 staff knew how to identify abuse and protect people from it.

The service had carried out risk assessments to ensure that they protected people from harm.

Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of correctly.

The registered manager had recently reviewed and revamped the training at the home.

People enjoyed the food provided and were supported to take a good diet that was based on an assessment of their nutritional needs.

Staff had developed caring relationships with people who used the service.

Support plans were based on thorough assessments and were written using a person centred approach.

The registered manager provided good leadership. The provider had systems in place to ensure the delivery of good quality care.

On the day of our inspection the service had sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. However we recommended that the service reviewed its deployment of staffing to ensure that people were appropriately supported at night.

People who were able to speak with us said that they had not felt the need to complain about their care and they all felt the staff would help them if something bothered them. We had evidence to show that complaints were recorded and managed appropriately.

Relatives and those who lived in the home told us they were happy with the care and support provided. Comments included'

“I am very happy living here and the staff look after me very well”.

“I enjoyed the chair exercises this morning”.

"I really enjoy my meals especially the cake".

Medication and health care were well managed and people got the right levels of support to keep well and comfortable.

Staffing levels met the needs of the people living in the home. The staff team were skilled, knowledgeable and understood the care of older people with diverse needs.

People told us they were happy living in The Good Companions. They told us there were activities to enjoy if they wanted to join in and that they go out in the mini bus.

"I like it here and I have my own key for my room".

"The staff are very kind and help me when I need it".

"I settled down really well and I can look out of my room window and see people passing by".

" My breakfast this morning was delicious".

"I have my own key worker who looks after me really well".