Brook House is a residential care home for up to 41 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 30 people living there.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

A registered manager was 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. The registered manager was fully aware of their legal responsibilities and was committed to providing excellent leadership and support to staff.

Staff understood the need to undertake specific assessments where people lacked capacity to consent to their care and / or their day to day routines. It was not evidenced how decisions had been made in people’s best interest or who had been involved in this process. We saw that people were supported in the least restrictive way possible.

People were safe and protected from the risk of harm. Risks to people's safety were assessed and we saw that care was delivered in a safe way. Safe recruitment procedures were followed and there were suitable numbers of staff available.

Person centred care plans were in place written in the persons voice. Written consent to care was not evidenced however we did see that consent to care was sought at point of delivery and relatives told us they had been involved in the care planning where required.

People had access to health and social care services when needed and were referred in a timely manner. People had access to medication when they needed it and medication was managed in a safe way.

People were treated with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect. They were supported by staff to engage in activities. The provider had built relationships with services in the local community that people regularly accessed. People were involved in decision making and supported and encouraged with choice giving them control of their lives.

People and their relatives spoke positively of the staff team. The Registered Manager was visible, approachable and highly regarded amongst people, relatives and the staff. People felt confident that concerns raised would be dealt with promptly.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

We carried out our inspection on 3 and 7 March 2016. The inspection was unannounced.

Brook House Care Home provides accommodation for up to 41 older people. At the time of our inspection there were 25 people using the service. The provider had recently extended the home to increase their capacity to 41.

The service had employed a new manager who will be applying to the Care Quality Commission to become the registered manager. It is a condition of registration that the service has a registered manager in order to provide regulated activities to people. The service has employed a manager who will be applying to the Care Quality Commission to become the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

People felt safe at Brook House Care Home. Staff had a good understanding of their responsibilities to keep people safe from harm and abuse. They were confident to apply the provider’s policies to report abuse and ensure people were safe.

People received their medicines as prescribed by their doctor.

Staff had effective induction and training that equipped them with the skills they required to look after people.

Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and how they would practice it in their role. They sought people’s consent before they provided care and support. People were supported in accordance to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) applications made by the provider to restrict people’s liberty had not fully specified the reason for the request. The manager rectified this after our inspection.

People were supported with their nutritional and health needs. They had access to a variety of healthy meals that they enjoyed. They also had prompt access to healthcare services when they needed them.

People were complimentary of the caring attitudes of the staff. They said staff made them feel like they mattered. Staff treated them with respect and promoted their dignity and human rights. They also promoted people’s right to privacy.

The relatives and friends of people using the service had no restrictions to visiting Brook House Care Home.

People’s care plans reflected their individual needs. Their care was provided in a person centred manner. The provider listened to feedback from people using the service and their relatives. People told us that staff acted promptly on their feedback.

People using the service, their relatives and staff told us the managers were accessible and supported them when needed.

The provider had quality assurance systems to monitor the quality of the service.

People told us the care at Brook House was good and they had help and support whenever they needed it. One person said, “From when I get up in the morning to when I go to bed and all through the night the carers are there when I need them.” Another person commented, “We’re never kept waiting because there’s plenty of staff.”

People said they were pleased with the meals the home provided. One person told us, “The food is excellent. We had lamb today and it was beautifully cooked.” Another commented, “The puddings are very nice. Today we had fruit salad with strawberries and blueberries in it and fresh cream.”

People told us they liked the way the home looked and thought it was comfortable and well-maintained. One person said, “It’s very homely here and the rooms are always kept clean.” A relative commented, “It’s a nice, relaxing environment for people and I have never known this home to be anything but clean.”

People said they liked the staff at Brook House. One person told us, “The staff are wonderful. If you ask for anything they get it for you.” Another person commented, “The staff are the nicest people you could wish to know. None of them are miserable, they are all happy and friendly.”

People told us they thought the care the home provided was good. One relative said, “When I visit the staff always know exactly where my (relative) is – that’s a sign of a good home to me.” Another relative said, “My (relative) is extremely well looked after and is very content living here.”

People said they made choices about their care, environment, and meals. One person told us, “I can eat in the dining room if I want, or have my meals brought to my room.” The cook said the menus were decided in consultation with the people who use the service. She told us, “What I like about working here is that most of the food is homemade because that’s what the residents want.”

All the relatives we talked to said they were always made very welcome in the home and could join the people who use the service for meals if they wished to. During our visit one of the people who use the service was celebrating their birthday. They had chosen to have a meal at Brook House with their relatives and staff had catered for this.

People told us they liked the staff and found them caring and approachable. One person told us, “The staff are brilliant and really care. That’s what’s important.” A relative said, “The manager is very good and jolly, she is highly thought of here.”