The inspection took place on the 9 July 2018 and was unannounced.

Avondale Rest 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.

Avondale Rest home provides care and support for up to 19 people some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 17 people were using the service. The service is set over two floors in the local community.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Requires Improvement. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the service is rated as Good.

The provider is also the registered manager of this and another local service. 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 service was safe. Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. People were cared for safely by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. People’s needs were met by sufficient numbers of staff. There were systems in place to minimise the risk of infection. Medication was dispensed by staff who had received training to do so.

The service was effective. People were cared for and supported by staff who had received training to support people to meet their needs. The registered manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. 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 support this practice. People were supported to eat and drink enough as to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to other health professionals were made when required. The environment was appropriately designed and adapted to meet people’s needs.

The service was caring. Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences of care. Staff always worked hard to promote people’s independence through encouraging and supporting people to make informed decisions.

The service was responsive. People and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis and also when there was a change in care needs. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The registered manager responded to complaints received in a timely manner. People were provided with the appropriate care and support at the end of their life.

The service was well-led. Staff, people and their relatives spoke very highly of the registered manager. The service had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis.

This inspection was undertaken on 24 and 25 May 2017 and was unannounced.

Avondale Rest Home provides accommodation and personal care to up to 19 people. People living in the service may have care needs associated with dementia. There were 18 people living at the service on the day of our inspection. The service was registered to the current provider in September 2016. This was our first inspection of the service since that registration.

The provider is also the registered manager of this and another local service. 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.

Systems and records to manage risk, safeguard people and to check on the quality and safety of the service needed strengthening to ensure people’s safety and wellbeing was maintained.

Improvements were needed to registered manager’s knowledge of the responsibilities of their role and in the detail of the records required to be maintained.

Up to date guidance about protecting people’s rights had been followed overall so as to support decisions made on people’s behalf and comply with legislation.

Staff were knowledgeable about identifying abuse and how to report it to safeguard people. Recruitment procedures were suitable overall. While the temperature of storage areas needed to be monitored, medicines were safely recorded and administered in line with current guidance to ensure people received their prescribed medicines to meet their needs.

People had choices of food and drinks that supported their nutritional or health care needs and their personal preferences. Arrangements were in place to support people to gain access to health professionals and services.

People were supported by staff who knew them well and were available in sufficient numbers to meet people's needs effectively. People’s dignity and privacy was respected and they found the staff to be friendly and caring. Visitors were welcomed and relationships were supported.

People’s care was planned and reviewed with them or the person acting on their behalf. Staff had information on how best to meet people’s needs. People were supported to participate in social activities that interested them and met their needs.

People felt able to raise any complaints and felt that the provider would listen to them. Information to help them to make a complaint was readily available.

People and staff knew the registered manager and found them to be approachable and available in the service. People living and working in the service had the opportunity to say how they felt about the home and the service it provided and had their views listened to.