This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 15, 16 and 23 January 2018. We had previously carried out an inspection in January 2015 when we found the service had complied with all the regulations at the time except staff had not received the training they needed to help ensure people’s right were protected. The service was rated overall as Good. At this inspection we found the service remained overall Good.

Abbeydale Residential Care Home 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.

Abbeydale Residential Care Home is a large extended detached property, which provides accommodation for up to 32 older people who require support with personal care. There were 31 people living at the home during our inspection.

The service had a manager who was registered with us. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At this inspection we found the breach in regulation had been met. Staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The service had good contact arrangements with the local deprivation of liberty team for advice. Two best interest meetings were held during our inspection. This helps to ensure staff supported people in the least restrictive way possible and their rights were protected.

The home was clean and comfortably furnished. Although we could see that ongoing improvements had been made to the decoration of the home since our last inspection progress was slow and the home looked tired in parts. The registered provider agreed during our inspection to arrange for a team of decorators to go into the home to complete all outstanding work.

We saw that improvements were in the process of being made to care plans and risk assessments to give more detail of potential risk of harm, people’s personal preferences and guidance to staff on how to support people. Other recent improvements had been made with a new fire alarm and call system, a stair lift and a new passenger lift had been installed at the home.

Staff knew how to protect people from abuse and were confident that the managers at the home would take action should they raise any concerns.

Staff had been safely recruited. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. People were supported by staff who were trained and supported by managers in their job roles.

Medicines were provided safely and when required. People were supported with their health needs. The home was clean and staff had access to the equipment they needed to help prevent and control infection.

People told us they enjoyed the food and their weight and any risk of malnutrition was monitored.

People spoke positively about the staff and throughout our inspection, we observed staff interactions that were relaxed and friendly.

Activities were available for people to participate in if they wanted to and visitors told us they were made to feel welcome.

There was a procedure to help people to complain if they wanted to. We saw that were a complaint had been made action had been taken to make changes in service delivery and the management of any future complaints.

Feedback about the service was obtained annually from people who used the service, their families and staff.

The home had a registered manager as is required. Since our last inspection a deputy manager had been appointed as part of arrangements to strengthen the management of the home.

Improvements had been made to the external oversight at the home. The registered provider had re

During the inspection, we spoke with three people who use the service. They told us the staff asked their permission before they delivered any care. They told us they were happy at the home. They also told us the staff looked after them well and they were kept involved in the review of their care.

We found that people were asked for consent and the provider acted in accordance with people’s wishes. People who use the service received care in a way that met their needs and preferences.

The people we spoke with told us they felt the home was clean and safe. They told us their rooms were cleaned on a daily basis. They told us they were happy with the staff and that the staff were friendly and helpful. They also told us they had no concerns about the care they received and they would speak to the registered manager if they had any concerns.

We found the environment in the home to be clean, safe and well maintained. People were cared for by staff that had been through the appropriate recruitment checks. There was an effective complaints system available, in case anyone wished to raise a complaint.

We spoke with two people who use the service. They told us the staff were very good and helpful. They also told us the meals were good and they were given plenty of choice.

The people we spoke with told us they were very happy at the home. They also told us that staff kept them involved and discussed their care plans with them.

People told us that they had no concerns about the care they receive and would speak to the Registered Manager if they had any concerns or complaints. People told us they felt that staff were always around when they needed them.

This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 21 January 2015. We had previously carried out an inspection in May 2013 when we found the service had complied with all the regulations we reviewed.

Abbeydale provides accommodation for up to 32 older people who require support with personal care. The home was full at the time of our visit.

The service had a manager who had recently completed the registration process during our inspection visit. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010. This was because most staff had yet to undertake Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) training which should help them ensure people’s rights are protected.

You can see what action we asked the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.

All the people we spoke with who used the service told us they felt safe in Abbeydale. Staff had received training in safeguarding vulnerable adult’s procedures. They were able to tell us what action they would need to take if they had any concerns about the care people received in Abbeydale. All the staff we spoke with were confident any concerns they might raise with the registered manager would be taken seriously and acted upon.

Recruitment processes in the service were sufficiently robust to protect people from the risks of unsuitable staff. We found staffing levels were appropriate to meet the needs of people who used the service.

There were appropriate measures in place for the administration of medicines. We did however find that controlled medication was not always stored as it should be at the change-over of the medication cycle. The registered manager took immediate action to rectify the problem.

The home was seen to be clean and tidy throughout and staff had the equipment they needed to help ensure prevention and control of infection processes were in place.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at Abbeydale and considered they received the training and support they needed to safely carry out their role. Training records showed that most staff had received the basic training they needed. We saw staff respond quickly to meet people’s needs and work well as a team. A member of the staff team said “Everyone pulls together and it is absolutely great working here.”

The registered manager demonstrated their knowledge about the process to follow should it be necessary to place any restrictions on a person who used the service in their best interests. At the time of our inspection we were told that there were no restrictions to people’s liberty.

People who used the service told us they enjoyed the food that was available and we saw that they were offered food and drink frequently throughout the day.

All the people we spoke with gave positive feedback about the staff in Abbeydale. During the inspection we observed positive and caring interactions between staff and people who used the service.

A relative told us, “We looked carefully when we decided that my mother needed this type of care and I have been happy that we found the right place. They really are committed to doing a good job here and I know Mum is happy.” Another said “At the moment this place is the best for him and, with the experience we have of them caring for our mother, we had no doubts about them.”

All the people we spoke with told us both the registered manager of the service was very approachable and would always listen and respond if any concerns were raised. The staff we spoke with told us that they thought that the homes reputation, staff morale and resources available at the home had all improved since the registered manager took over the day to day running of the home.

There were a number of quality assurance processes in place in Abbeydale. This showed us the registered manager was regularly reviewing how the service could be improved.

Prior to our visit we contacted the local authority safeguarding and commissioning teams and no concerns were raised by them about the care and support people received from Abbeydale Residential Care Home.