The inspection took place on 30 March 2016 and was unannounced.

The Stratfords Residential Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 12 older people and people with dementia care needs. At the time of our inspection, the service was providing support to 8 people.

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.

People felt safe. Staff had an understanding of abuse and the safeguarding procedures that should be followed to report abuse and people had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as possible.

Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the service and there were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s care and support needs

Medicines were stored, handled and administered safely within the service and the processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service.

Staff received a comprehensive induction process and on-going training. They were well supported by the registered manager and had regular one to one time for supervisions.

People’s consent was gained before any care was provided and people were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff were very knowledgeable of this guidance and correct processes were in place to protect people

People were able to choose the food and drink they wanted and staff supported people with this.

People were supported to access health appointments when necessary, and had good access to health professionals as required

Staff supported people in a warm and caring manner. They knew the people they were supporting well and understood their requirements for care.

People were involved in their own care planning and were able to contribute to the way in which they were supported.

People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.

People were encouraged to express which activities they would like to take part in, and were given the opportunity to take part in take part social interests of their choice.

The service had a complaints procedure in place that people and their families were aware of and knew how to use.

Quality monitoring systems and processes were used effectively to drive future improvement and identify where action was needed.