About the service: Cherry Wood Grange is a care home providing accommodation, personal care and nursing for up to 66 people. At the time of our inspection there were 64 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service:

People received care from staff who knew them well. People told us staff were kind, caring in their approach and promoted their independence.

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.

There was a new manager who had been in post since December 2018. The manager had a visual presence. People, their relative’s and staff were positive regarding the management of the service.

The management team had systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service provided, and to drive improvements where this was required. The service considered people's feedback and was continuously trying to improve the service.

We received mixed views from people regarding the availability of staff at all times. The manager used a dependency assessment tool and kept staffing levels under review.

Staff and the management team completed a variety of checks. However, some areas for development had not been monitored by the clinical management team. These included the monitoring of people at risk of choking, pressure care and those at risk of inadequate food and fluid intake. The management team agreed to review their approach and make necessary changes.

Staff had received some training relevant to their roles and responsibilities. Further training was planned to ensure nursing staff had the required skills and updated knowledge to meet the needs of people at the end of life.

People were supported to take their medicines in a safe way, but staff did not always have robust details on when to give medicines that were prescribed 'as and when required'.

The management team worked well to lead the staff team in their roles and ensure people

received a good service. People, their relatives and staff told us they were approachable and that their views were listened to.

People had access to a variety of nutritious meals and snacks.

Staff were aware of people's life history and preferences and they used this information to develop positive relationships and deliver person centred care.

We recommended consideration be given to the risk of isolation when planning care for people isolated in their rooms.

There was a varied range of social activities on offer. Staff encouraged people to participate in group and one to one activities of interest to the individual.

Rating at last inspection: This was the first inspection of this service since it registered as a service.

Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection.

Improvement action we have told the provider to take:

Please see the ‘action we have told the provider to take’ section towards the end of the report

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk