This inspection was carried out on the 30 May 2017 and was unannounced.

Whitfield is a care home registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 30 older people living with dementia. Accommodation is set over two floors. There is a lift to assist people to get to the first floor. Bedrooms are on both the ground and first floor and there are separate communal areas. It is located in the village of Whitfield and set back from the main road that runs through the village. At the time of inspection there were 25 people living in the service.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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.

This is the first inspection of this service, under its new registration.

Staff knew how to recognise and respond to abuse. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities regarding safeguarding people and staff were confident the registered manager would act if any concerns were reported to them.

Staff completed incident forms when any accident or incident occurred. The registered manager analysed these for any trends to see if any adjustment was needed to people’s support. Risks relating to people’s health and mobility had been assessed and minimised when possible. Regular health and safety checks were undertaken to ensure the environment was safe and equipment worked as required. Regular fire drills were completed.

There was enough staff to keep people safe. Staff were checked before they started working with people to ensure they were of good character and had the necessary skills and experience to support people effectively.

Staff had the induction and training needed to carry out their roles. They had received training relating to people’s specific needs. Staff met regularly with the registered manager to discuss their training and development needs.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care services. These safeguards protect the rights of people using services by ensuring that if there are any restrictions to their freedom and liberty, these have been agreed by the local authority as being required to protect the person from harm. DoLS applications had been made to the relevant supervisory body in line with guidance.

People were supported to eat and drink healthily. Staff had sought advice and guidance from a variety of healthcare professionals to ensure people received the best care possible. People’s medicines were managed safely.

People and their relatives said that staff were kind and caring. Staff knew people well and their likes and dislikes formed part of their care. People were treated with dignity and respect.

Staff were responsive to people’s needs. Detailed assessments were carried out before people moved into the service and care plans were reviewed regularly by the registered manager.

People took part in a variety of activities within the service. People and their relatives told us musicians and entertainers regularly visited the service to perform and, “There was always something going on.” There was a complaints policy in place and people and their relatives told us they knew how to complain if they needed.

Staff and relatives told us they thought the service was well-led. Staff told us they were well supported by the registered manager and there was an open and inclusive ethos within the service. The registered manager told us, “This is not a work place, it is people’s home. We put our heart and soul into ensuring people have the best time here, whilst they are with us.”

The registered manager was experienced in working with older people and providing person centred care. CQC had been informed of an