We inspected the service on 25 June 2018. This was our first inspection since the service was registered on 18 April 2017.

Weald Heights 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.

Weald Heights is a purpose built care home registered to provide accommodation and nursing care to up to 80 adults. Weald Heights provides nursing and residential care, short term respite care plus specialist care for older people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Weald Heights has three floors, all of which has access to a secure outside space, and were accessed via a passenger lift. The service has its own coffee shop, hair salon, cinema and library which people were able to access. At the time of the inspection there were 38 people living at the service.

The service had a registered manager in post who had worked at Weald Heights since its registration. 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 registered manager was supported by a deputy manager, clinical lead for the service and a senior management team.

People felt safe and were protected from the potential risk of harm and abuse. Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people and followed the provider’s policy and procedure. People’s personal belongings were protected from the potential risk of theft. Potential risks to people had been assessed and steps were taken to reduce any risks. The premises were well maintained and equipment had been regularly serviced to ensure it was in good working order.

There were enough staff deployed on each floor to meet people’s needs. People told us staff were available and came to their assistance when required. The provider operated safe and robust recruitment and selection procedures to make sure staff were suitable and safe to work with people.

People received a personalised, person centred service which was responsive to their needs. People and/or their relatives were involved in the development and review of their care plan. Guidance was in place to inform staff of how to meet people’s needs whilst encouraging and promoting their independence.

People’s nutrition and hydration needs were assessed and recorded. People had access to food they enjoyed and their specific dietary requirements were catered for. Staff worked alongside health care professionals to ensure people remained as healthy as possible.

People were encouraged to make their own choices about their lives. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. Interactions between staff and people were caring and kind. Staff knew people well and had knowledge about people’s histories, likes and dislikes. People’s equality, diversity and human rights were promoted and respected.

People received their medicines safely as prescribed by their GP. There were systems in place to ensure that medicines had been stored, administered, audited and reviewed regularly. People were protected by the prevention and control of infection where possible, with systems in place to ensure the risk of contamination were minimised. Guidance was available for staff to follow to maintain people’s safety in the event of an emergency.

People were offered the opportunity to participate in a range of activities to meet their needs and interests. The views of people and others were sought and