The inspection was unannounced and took place on 27 and 28 June 2017.

This was the first inspection of this service since the provider had changed to Anchor Care Homes Limited.

Widnes Hall is a care home which provides care and support for a maximum of 68 people. The accommodation is provided in four separate units, two at ground floor level with two more units on the first floor. Two units provide care and support for up to 36 people who are living with dementia. The other two units provide accommodation for up to 32 people who need residential care and support. The home has car parking facilities and large well maintained garden areas. The home is situated in Ditton and is approximately one mile from the centre of Widnes. The two-storey property is purpose built and is close to shops, public transport and other local amenities. 65 people were living in the home at the time of our visit.

Widnes Hall has 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.

The registered manager was present during the two days of our inspection and was supported by the deputy manager on the second day of our inspection. The registered manager was open and transparent throughout the inspection process and was seen to interact with people using the service and staff in a caring and helpful manner.

We spent time talking with people and undertaking observations within the home and noted that people received care and support in a timely manner, which was also responsive to their individual needs. We noted that staff communicated and engaged with people in a kind, friendly and compassionate manner and that people were encouraged to maintain their independence and to follow their preferred daily routines and lifestyle.

We saw that staff were recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care. Staffing levels were observed to be sufficient to meet the needs of the people living in the home.

People living in the home and their relatives confirmed that staff were kind, patient and knew them and their needs well.

A programme of induction and on-going training had been developed for staff to access via e-learning and face to face learning methods. Staff also had access to recognised qualifications in health and social care. This helped to ensure people using the service were supported by competent staff. Additional systems of support such as supervisions, daily handovers and team meetings were also in place.

We received one negative comment about staffing levels. However all of our observations, our examination of staff rotas and records of peoples dependency needs together with discussions with staff confirmed that there were sufficient numbers of staff to meet the needs of the people living in the service.

We saw that the service had a safeguarding procedure in place. This was designed to ensure that any potential safeguarding incidents were dealt with openly so that people were protected from harm.

The service had a range of policies and procedures which helped staff refer to good practice and included guidance on the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff evidenced good knowledge in this area. This meant that the staff members were aware of people's rights to make their own decisions.

The food in the home was varied and well-presented and we received positive comments about the choices that people were offered and the standard of the food.

People’s care plans were person centred and reviewed regularly. This meant staff knew if any changes in care provision had been made and helped to ensure that people’s needs continued to be met.

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