This inspection took place on 16 August 2017 and was unannounced.

Wytham House care home is registered to provide accommodation for up to 40 older people who require nursing or personal care. At the time of the inspection there were 28 people living at the service.

We were welcomed by the registered manager and staff who were happy to see us and keen to show their caring nature and share the positive changes they had made in the previous months.

There was 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 worked closely with the deputy manager and a regional manager.

People told us they were safe. Risks to people’s well-being were assessed and managed safely to help them maintain their independency. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. Staff clearly understood how to safeguard people and protect their health and well-being. There were systems in place to manage safe administration and storage of medicines. People received their medicine as prescribed.

People were supported by staff that had the right skills and knowledge to fulfil their roles effectively. Staff told us they were well supported by the management team. Staff support was through regular supervisions (one to one meetings with their line manager), appraisals and team meetings to help them meet the needs of the people they cared for.

Wytham House continuously recruited staff to ensure people’s needs were met. The home had staff vacancies which were covered by regular suitably qualified and experienced agency staff to meet people's needs. Same agency staff were used to maintain continuity. The management team were doing all they could to ensure safe staffing levels. The home had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their roles.

Staff worked closely with various local social and health care professionals. Referrals for specialist advice were submitted in a timely manner. Where people had received end of life care, staff had taken actions to ensure people would have as dignified and comfortable death as possible. End of life care was provided in a compassionate way.

People living at Wytham House were supported to meet their nutritional needs and maintain an enjoyable and varied diet. Meal times were considered social events. We observed a pleasant dining experience during our inspection.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and report on what we find. The registered manager and staff had a good understanding of the MCA and applied its principles in their work. Where people were thought to lack capacity to make certain decisions, assessments had been completed in line with the principles of MCA. The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS); these provide legal safeguards for people who may be deprived of their liberty for their own safety.

People had their needs assessed prior to living at Wytham House to ensure staff were able to meet people’s needs. People’s care plans gave details of support required and were updated when people’s needs changed. People knew how to complain and complaints were dealt with in line with the provider’s complaints policy. People’s input was valued and they were encouraged to feedback on the quality of the service and make suggestions for improvements.

People, their relatives, staff and healthcare professionals told us they felt Wytham House was well run. The registered manager and management team promoted a positive, transparent and open culture