The inspection of Belgrave Court Residential Care Home took place on 15 February 2017 and was announced. This is the first rated comprehensive inspection of the service, which was registered under Vitality Care Homes Limited in May 2016, following a change of owner.

Belgrave Court Residential Care Home is located in the seaside town of Bridlington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The home provides accommodation and support with personal care for up to 30 older people, including those living with dementia. At the time of this inspection there were 29 people using the service.

The registered provider was required to have a registered manager in post. A manager that had been registered and in post for the last nine and a half months was available on the day we inspected. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 protected from the risk of harm because the registered provider had systems in place to detect, monitor and report potential or actual safeguarding concerns. Staff were appropriately trained in safeguarding adults from abuse and understood their responsibilities in respect of managing potential and actual safeguarding concerns. Risks were also managed and reduced on an individual and group basis so that people avoided injury or harm.

The premises were not safely maintained on the day of our inspection. The registered provider informed us that all safety certificates had been handed over to them at the time they purchased the business in May 2016 and had been advised that certificates were all in date. However, we identified that this was not so and the registered provider took swift action as soon as they were made aware of shortcomings in the safety of the premises. The registered provider ensured safety of the premises by the time this report was completed. We received evidence in the form of maintenance certificates and reports to show this.

Staffing numbers were sufficient to meet people’s needs and we saw that rosters corresponded with the staff that were on duty. Recruitment policies, procedures and practices were carefully followed to ensure staff were suitable to care for and support vulnerable people. We found that the management of medication was safely carried out.

People were cared for and supported by qualified and competent staff. Staff received regular supervision and appraisal of their performance. People’s mental capacity was appropriately assessed and their rights were protected. Employees of the service had knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities in respect of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and they understood the importance of people being supported to make decisions for themselves. The registered manager explained how the service worked with other health and social care professionals and family members to ensure decisions were made in people’s best interests where they lacked capacity to make their own decisions.

People received adequate nutrition and hydration to maintain good levels of health and wellbeing. The premises were suitable for providing care to older people and while there were no adverse effects to people living with dementia, the environment was not quite as conducive to their needs as it could have been in terms of patterned fabrics and carpets.

People received compassionate care from kind staff, who knew about people’s needs and preferences. People were involved in all aspects of their care and were always asked for their consent before staff undertook care and support tasks. People’s wellbeing was monitored. People’s privacy, dignity and independence were respected.

People were supported according to their person-ce