The provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in July 2017. Therefore, this was the first inspection under the new registration.

The Cedars is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The Cedars comprises of two units totalling 60 beds; one unit [The Lodge] accommodates people living with dementia, while the other unit [Cedar House] supports people requiring assistance with their personal care. Nursing care is not provided. At the time of our inspection 47 people were living at the home.

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

Care and support was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people were safe. People were protected, as any risks associated with their care were identified and appropriately managed. Systems were also in place to safeguard people from abuse.

The process for recruiting new staff ensured they were suitable to carry out their roles and responsibilities in a safe manner. Staff were trained and supported to develop their skills and provide people with the standard of care they required.

There was enough staff employed to meet the needs of the people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

Medication was managed safely and administered by staff who had completed appropriate training.

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.

People received a varied and healthy diet that offered choice. However, we noted the dining experience people received could have been better, the registered manager was working to address this.

Staff supported people in a compassionate, caring, responsive and friendly manner. They encouraged them to be as independent as possible, while taking into consideration their abilities and any risks associated with their care. All the people we spoke with made positive comments about how staff delivered care and said they were happy with the way the home was managed.

People’s needs had been assessed and care plans put in place to highlight where they needed support, and telling staff how each person preferred their care to be delivered. People’s care had been reviewed regularly to make sure plans reflected people’s changing needs.

There was a range of activities and events people were supported to take part in.

There were systems in place to continuously assess and monitor the quality of the service. This included obtaining people’s views and checking staff were following the correct procedures. Improvements to the premises were underway with a clear action plan as to what areas needed attention.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.