This inspection took place on 2 and 3 November 2017 and was unannounced. The service was registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 168 people. Amerind Grove Care Home consists of five separate bungalows but only three of them were currently being used. These three bungalows were called Picador (residential care for people living with dementia), Capstan (nursing care for people living with dementia) and Kingsway (the general nursing unit). The maximum number of people that could be accommodated at any one time was 106 and at the time of our inspection there were 103 people in residence.

Amerind Grove Care Home was re-registered under a new legal entity in January 2017 and this is the first inspection of the service since then.

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.

People were safe. Staff received safeguarding adults training and knew what to do if there were concerns about a person’s welfare. They knew how to report any concerns they may have regarding the health and welfare of people. When concerns had been raised the service cooperated with the local authority in any investigations that had taken place. The service encouraged the staff to speak up if they had any concerns.

Risk assessments were completed as part of the care planning process. Where risks were identified there were plans in place to reduce or eliminate the risk. We saw staff performing safe moving and handling procedures during the inspection. For each person a personal emergency evacuation plan was written detailing the level of support the person would need in the case of an emergency. The risks of employing unsafe staff were reduced because of robust staff recruitment procedures.

The premises were well maintained. Regular maintenance checks were completed to ensure the building and facilities were safe. Checks were also made of the fire safety systems, the hot and cold water temperatures and equipment to make sure they were safe for staff and people to use. The management of medicines was safe meaning that people received their medicines as prescribed.

Staffing levels in each of the bungalows were regularly reviewed and amended to ensure the staff were able to meet all care and support needs. The number of staff on duty took account of the level of dependency of each person and any additional activities that were planned to take place. Staff confirmed they had enough time to meet people’s needs although there were times in the day when things were very busy.

Medicines were managed safely and there were safe systems in place for the ordering, receipt, storage, administration and disposal of medicines.

The home was clean tidy and fresh smelling. One of the bungalows has had two outbreaks of infections and the staff took the appropriate action to prevent further spread.

The service was effective. There was a robust induction training programme for new staff and those new-to-care staff completed the Care Certificate. There was a mandatory training programme for all other staff to complete to ensure they had the necessary skills and knowledge to care for people correctly.

The capacity of each person to make decisions was assessed as part of the care planning process and they were always asked to consent before receiving care. People were encouraged to make their own choices about aspects of their daily life. We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were provided with sufficient quantities of food and drink and asked about their likes and dislikes. Specific dietary need