The inspection took place on 8 and 13 March 2017 and the first day was unannounced. This was the first inspection under the current registration with the Care Quality Commission.

Woodlands Care Home provides personal care for up to 19 people with dementia care needs in single bedrooms. At the time of the inspection the home was full.

The registered manager had worked at the service for several years. 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.

Staff recruitment procedures were not always being robustly followed to ensure only suitable staff were employed by the service. This was addressed promptly following the inspection.

We identified some shortfalls with medicine stock checks and monitoring, so medicines were not always being safely managed. The registered manager addressed the findings and took action to better monitor medicines management.

Systems for monitoring the service were in place, however they were not robust and did not always identify shortfalls. The registered manager took action to address the areas of concern promptly and to introduce more robust monitoring processes for the service.

People, relatives and health and social care professionals were happy with the care and support being provided at the service.

Systems were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse and staff understood the action to take if they had any concerns.

Risk assessments and action plans were in place for individual risks so these were minimised. Systems and equipment were being maintained and serviced to maintain their safety.

There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs.

Staff received training to provide them with the skills and knowledge to care for people effectively.

We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). DoLS were in place to ensure that people’s freedom was not unduly restricted. Staff understood people’s needs and acted in their best interests.

People’s dietary needs and preferences were being identified and met. People’s nutritional needs and status were assessed and monitored.

People’s healthcare needs were identified and they received input from the GP, community nurse and other healthcare professionals when required.

Staff understood the individual care and support people needed and provided this in a kind and caring manner.

Staff offered people choices and treated them in a respectful and dignified way.

Care records were personalised and up to date and changes in people’s condition were identified and included in the care plans.

The service provided a wide variety of activities for people to take part in and there was a good atmosphere in the service.

There was a complaints procedure in place and people and relatives felt able to raise any concerns they might have.

The registered manager and deputy manager were approachable and listened to people, relatives and staff so that any issues could be promptly addressed. The registered manager strived to continually improve the experiences for people living at the service.