The Old Rectory Retirement Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 20 older people. There were 13 people living at the home at the time of the inspection. At the last inspection on 14 January 2015 the service was rated Good, although we had concerns about the security of the premises. At this inspection we found that this was no longer a concern and the service remained Good.

People were safe at the service. Staff knew about abuse and to report any concerns that they had. Risks to people were well-managed and staffing levels were sufficient to ensure people received the care they needed. People's medicines were administered by either the registered manager or senior staff and there were systems in place to ensure that this was done safely.

Staff had the training and support they needed for their roles. 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. Nutritional needs were being met and people received input from healthcare professionals when needed.

There were positive relationships between people and members of staff. Staff adapted their communication and involved people and their families in decisions about their care. People's privacy and dignity was maintained by members of staff.

Care was person-centred. People had individual care plans in place which provided staff with information about specific goals, preferences, needs and abilities. Activities were provided in the service and local community and the feedback of people and their family members, including complaints, was welcomed.

There was a positive culture at the service and staff members were motivated by their roles. The leadership of the service had changed since the last inspection; we found that staff morale was good and staff felt supported, valued and listened to. The registered manager had been in post for around four months and we were told had made many positive changes to the service which had improved the quality of care people received. They had a visible presence and were known to people, relatives and staff. There were quality assurance processes in place to monitor and review the care being provided.

This inspection took place on 14 January 2015 and was unannounced. At the previous inspection in September 2013, we found that there were no breaches of legal requirements.

The Old Rectory Retirement Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 20 older people. There were 18 people living at the home at the time of inspection. The accommodation is over two floors. A stair lift had been provided for people to access both floors during the installation of a replacement shaft lift. There are two communal lounges, a  dining room, conservatory and a garden with seating.

The home was run by a registered manager who was present on the day of our visit. 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 premises were not secure, as the inspector gained entry to the home, without being met by any staff. The provider told us that action had been taken to address this shortfall after our visit.

The provider had robust procedures in place to make sure that a variety of checks were carried out on staff, before they started work at the home.

People told us that they felt safe at The Old Rectory. Staff understood how to recognise abuse and to report their concerns so that swift action could be taken to keep people safe. There were procedures in place for managing risks in relation to individual people and the environment.

Staff stored and managed medicines safely, but a recommendation has been made about how to check that medicines are stored at the correct temperature.

People enjoyed their meals and said that they were offered choices about what they ate. People were assessed to identify if they were at risk of poor nutrition and action was taken to address this. People’s health care needs were assessed and appropriate referrals were made to health care professionals. A relative said that when their mother was ill, the staff had called the doctor, before they had had time to raise their concerns with the registered manager.

Staff had regular training so that they could gain the skills and knowledge that they required to meet people’s needs effectively. The provider had increased staffing levels in response to changes in people’s needs.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Whilst no-one living at the home was currently subject to a DoLS, we found that the manager understood when an application should be made and how to submit one.

People said that the staff were kind, caring and compassionate, and visitors said that staff were patient and understanding. Staff knew people’s likes, dislikes and past histories, so that they could support them to make decisions and engage them in conversation about topics that they enjoyed.

People’s care, treatment and support needs were clearly identified in their plans of care. Guidance was in place for staff to follow to meet people’s needs and it included information about people’s choices and preferences.

An activities co-ordinator was employed to support people in a range of hobbies and activities. This included individual and group activities as well as arranging entertainment for the home.

People knew how to make a complaint, which the registered manager took seriously. The registered manager investigated and took action to rectify any minor niggles or more serious complaints.

The home was well led. Relatives and visitors told us that the registered manager and provider were visible, involved in their care and approachable. Staff understood the aims of the home, were motivated and had confidence in the management of the home. They said that there was good communication in the staff team and that it was a good place to work.

Systems were in place to review the quality of the service and included feedback from people who lived in the home and their relatives. The results of these surveys were that the majority of people were satisfied with the care provided at the home. Where there were shortfalls, the registered manager had taken swift action to address them.

We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.

You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

We spoke with some people who use the service, the manager, visitors, relatives and to staff members. Everyone we spoke with said that they were very happy with the service provided at The Old Rectory.

One person who uses the service said “It is excellent, a home from home.” Another person said “I have noticed kindness; there is a lot of that here. Basically, the staff are kind and in old age that is important.”

People told us that they felt safe and well looked after. A visiting relative said “I think the service is magnificent. They give individual care with humour as well as love, care and concern.” Another relative said “My (relative) is happy here, I am delighted with the home.”

People said they could talk about any problems to the manager and to the staff. People said that they would be listened to and any problem would be sorted out. Everyone we spoke with said they had no complaints about the service.

People said that the home was clean and that their bedrooms were kept clean. People said that they were happy with their bedrooms. People told us that the food was very good and said “There is always a choice and food is freshly cooked.”

People’s health needs were supported and the service worked closely with health and social care professionals to maintain and improve people’s health and well being. People said they enjoyed the activities on offer.

We made an unannounced visit to the service and spoke to people who use the service, some visitors, the manager, the owner and to staff members. There were nineteen people using the service. We met and spoke to most of them and everyone we spoke to said or expressed that they were very happy living at The Old Rectory. The provider had taken action to ensure that the compliance actions made at the last inspection were met.

People told us or expressed that they felt safe and well looked after. People said “Safe? Absolutely yes, I feel totally secure here” and “This is an excellent home”.

People said that the staff were kind and caring. People said “The staff are there when I need them” and “Everything is ‘for you’, whatever you want, with no waiting. The staff are top notch. Nothing is too much trouble” and “if you want them (the staff) they are there”.

People said they could talk about any problems to the manager and to the other staff. People said that they would be listened to and any problem would be sorted out. One person said “The staff always have time for you”.

People looked happy and relaxed in the company of each other and staff. People said “I could not have a place that is better suited to me. I have the best room I think. It is a lovely room”.

People said that the home was clean and that their bedrooms were kept clean. One person said “The garden is wonderful”.

People told us that the food was ‘very good’. People said “The food is wonderful. We have very, very good meals”. “We know what we are having and we always get a choice”.

A visitor told us “It is a very nice place. They make you feel welcome and always bring you a drink and biscuits. The staff are always cheerful and friendly”.

The Old Rectory Retirement Home situated in Harbledown a village near Canterbury with accessible gardens and plenty of parking. They provide twenty four hour care for up to twenty elderly persons with various physical disabilities. There is a lift to the first floor and nurse call system in all rooms. Many have en-suit facilities the few that don’t have toilet facilities close by.