The inspection took place on 7 and 10 March 2017 and was unannounced. This meant staff and the registered provider did not know that we would be visiting.

This was the first inspection of the home since the current provider was registered to run the service April 2016. The provider Indigo Care Services is part of the Orchard group of homes.

Archers Court provides nursing and residential care for up to 40 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 25 people using the service, six of whom received nursing care.

The home had a registered manager. 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 told us they received good care from kind and considerate care workers. They also told us they felt safe living at the home.

There were enough care workers on duty to meet people’s needs in a timely manner.

Care workers showed a good understanding of safeguarding and the provider’s whistle blowing procedure. They told us they did not have concerns about people’s safety. The safeguarding log confirmed appropriate referrals had been made to the local authority safeguarding team. Safeguarding concerns had been fully investigated.

The provider had not always ensured two references were received before care workers started their employment. We have made a recommendation about this. Other recruitment checks were carried out in line with the provider’s recruitment process. This included checks on the registration status of qualified nursing staff.

Medicines were managed correctly. We found accurate records were kept which accounted for the medicines people had received. Only trained staff, whose competency had been checked, administered people’s medicines.

Accidents and incidents were recorded and investigated.

Regular health and safety checks were carried out. These were up to date when we visited the home. The provider had developed procedures so that people would receive appropriate care support in an emergency.

Care workers told us they felt supported working at the home and received appropriate training. Records confirmed essential training, supervision and appraisals were up to date.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Most people told us the meals provided at the home were good. Where people had special dietary requirements meals were adapted to meet these needs. We saw people were supported as required to ensure they had enough to eat and drink.

Records showed people received input from a range of health care professionals when needed.

People’s needs had been assessed and personalised care plans developed. Care plans had been evaluated regularly and updated when people’s needs had changed. Care records contained details of important information about each person and details of their preferences.

The availability of activities was limited when we inspected. This was because the provider was waiting for a new activity coordinator commencing their employment. In the meantime care workers provided some activities.

There were opportunities for people to share their views and suggestions either by attending residents' meetings or completing questionnaires. .

People and relatives did not have any concerns about the care provided and knew how to complain. One complaint made in the past 12 months had been investigated and resolved in line with the provider’s complaints policy. People had been provided with information about the provider’s complaint policy.

People, relatives and care workers described the