Corton House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 44 older people. The accommodation is over two floors. Most bedrooms have en-suite toilets and washbasins, some rooms also have en-suite showers. There are internal communal areas and gardens for people and their visitors to use. The service has a Christian ethos and welcomes people from all Christian denominations.

This unannounced inspection took place on 22 December 2016. There were 39 people receiving care at that time.

The service had a registered manager in place. 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.

Staff were only employed after the provider had carried out comprehensive and satisfactory pre-employment checks. Staff were well trained, and well supported, by their managers. Staff were also sufficient staff to meet people’s assessed needs. These were supported by a team of volunteers.

Systems were in place to ensure people’s safety was effectively managed. Staff were aware of the procedures for reporting concerns and of how to protect people from harm. People received their prescribed medicines appropriately and medicines were stored safely. People’s health, care and nutritional needs were effectively met. People were provided with a balanced diet. and staff were aware of people’s dietary needs and preferences. People praised the quality of food served to them.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. We found that there were formal systems in place to assess people’s capacity for decision making and applications had been made to the authorising agencies for people who needed these safeguards. People’s rights to make decisions about their care were respected. Where people did not have the mental capacity to make decisions, they had been supported in the decision making process.

People received care and support from staff who were kind, caring and respectful to the people they were caring for. Staff encourage people to be independent, and make as many decisions for themselves, as possible. Staff treated people with dignity, respect and compassion.

Staff received sufficient guidance to ensure they provided consistent care to each person. Changes to people’s care was kept under review to ensure the change was effective.

The was a varied programme of events for people to join in with and ample opportunities for people to develop and maintain hobbies and interests. Staff took steps to reduce the risk of social isolation and there were opportunities for people to access the local community. There were good links with the local community.

The service was well run. The registered manager and staff were approachable. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to provide feedback on the service in various ways both formally and informally. People’s views were listened to and acted on. Concerns and complaints were thoroughly investigated.

Quality monitoring procedures were in place and action was taken, or planned, where the need for improvements were identified. We saw the registered manager strove to continually improve the service.

We found that Corton House held appropriate care records for people using the service, such as assessments, care plans and risk assessments. These documents provided detailed instructions for staff on how to meet the person’s needs and the information had been reviewed regularly to ensure it was current. One person we spoke with told us, “I feel like I’m part of a family here. It’s a place to be content." Another person we spoke with told us, "As soon as the staff appear around the door, I feel reassured. I think it’s an excellent place and I’m very happy here.”

We found that the provider had in place suitable systems to ensure the safety and suitability of the premises and to protect people from harm.

We looked at the records for four members of care staff and found that training in manual handling and fire safety was up to date for these individuals. However, the provider may find it useful to note that at the time of visit, some staff members were overdue for medications and safeguarding training. We found that staff received adequate supervision and appraisal. One person we spoke with told us, "Staff are bright, cheerful and very willing."

We found that the provider had in place systems to monitor and assess the quality of the service, and identify any issues. People were asked for their views and these were acted on.

We found that there was an appropriate complaints system available.

We spoke with people who told us what it was like to live at this home. They described

how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. They also told us about the quality and choice of food and drink available. This was because this inspection was part of a themed inspection programme to assess whether older people living in care homes are treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs are met. The inspection team was led by a CQC inspector and an "expert by experience" (people who have experience of using services and who can provide that perspective).

We spoke with a total of six people who were using this service. We also spoke to three visitors of people who were using this service.

One person told us that, “Staff treat me very well, they always treat me with respect” and another person reported that, “They (staff) treat me very well I can’t grumble, they treat me with respect and you can have a laugh with them”. One visitor told us, “The room my mum has, was chosen by staff because it is big enough for my father to visit her in his wheelchair”.

All of the people spoken with and their visitors told us that they were frequently consulted by both staff and management on their satisfaction with the standard of care being provided.

One person told us that, “I have no trouble with the food, it is served hot with plenty of choice” and another stated, “I enjoy the food, we have plenty of choice”. Someone else said, “I absolutely love the food, it’s served hot and you can ask for a small portion if you want and the staff will try their hardest to help you”. Another person confirmed that, “Mealtimes are enjoyable”.

One person reported that, “Staff treat people very kindly, I’ve never seen anything approaching abuse” and another commented that, “I feel very safe here, it’s a very nice place”. Someone told us that, “I have no concerns, but if I had, I would speak to the care manager and I am confident of a swift resolution”

The visitors we spoke with confirmed that they were extremely confident that the staff or management would quickly resolve any concerns they might have.

The people using the service spoke highly of both care and senior staff. For example one person said that, “My care is never hurried they (staff) always have time for me”. A visitor told us that, “Staff are absolutely wonderful, very caring and attentive”.

Only a few of the people using this service knew of their written care plans, but all reported that they had regular discussions with staff and management about their care needs and preferences.