This was an unannounced inspection of Dryclough Manor. We last inspected the home in January 2014. At that inspection, we found the service was meeting all the regulations that we reviewed.

Dryclough Manor is a purpose built two-storey care home. Set in its own well-maintained grounds the home can provide accommodation for up to 42 people who require nursing and personal care. At the time of our inspection there were 38 people living at Dryclough Manor. All bedrooms had ensuite facilities.

The home had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who was present on the day of the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with 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 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

We saw that Dryclough Manor was clean and well maintained, Access to the building was secure and staff understood how to protect people living at the home from different forms of abuse. The service had whistleblowing and safeguarding policies that staff could access and staff were aware of their responsibilities to report any untoward behaviour they might witness.

People were supported by a stable staff team who had worked together for a number of years and knew the people who used the service well. We saw that there were enough staff and people told us that the staffing ratio reflected the needs of the residents.

Care records gave a good indication of people’s abilities and provided a good description of their individual likes and dislikes. Where risk had been identified, risk plans were in place to minimise the risk of harm occurring. Senior staff were trained to administer medicines and we saw procedures were in place to ensure the safe management of medicines. We were told that no medicine errors had been reported in the last twelve months.

The people who used the service and their visitors told us they believed the staff were competent and knowledgeable. We saw from looking at the training records that staff received appropriate training to meet the identified needs of people who lived at Dryclough Manor, such as dementia training, capacity and consent, dignity and respect and end of life care.

Staff communicated well with each other and we saw that information was exchanged between staff informally throughout the working day, and a detailed handover meeting took place at the start and finish of every shift. This ensured that care staff were aware of any change in people’s care needs and of any tasks which might need to be completed.

The registered manager and the care staff we spoke with demonstrated a good understanding of capacity and consent. When people were being deprived of their liberty the correct processes had been followed to ensure that this was done within the current legislation.

Attention was paid to people’s diet and people were supported to eat and drink in a way that met their needs. We saw that the food was good and that people had enough to eat and drink.

Care staff at Dryclough Manor monitored people’s general health, and where specific healthcare needs were identified the service was proactive in seeking the right level of support; liaising with health care professionals, such as general practitioners (GPs), District Nurses and physiotherapists to provide an appropriate level of support.

We saw people were comfortable and looked well cared for. Staff were vigilant to people’s needs and were able to respond in a timely way to people’s requests for assistance. They respected people’s need for privacy, but understood the risk of social isolation and did not leave people unattended. Staff spent time talking with people on a one to one basis or in small groups so that people felt like they were included. A person who used the service said to us, “The staff always look after us and check

In this report the name of a registered manager appears who was not in post and had not been managing the regulatory activities at this location since September 2013. Their name appears on the report because they were still a Registered Manager on our register at the time.

A new manager and deputy have been in post since November 2013. Since our inspection in January 2014 the new manager, Charlotte Goodwin, has become the Registered Manager for Dryclough Manor on our register.

When we inspected Dryclough Manor on 24 September 2013 we found it was not compliant. Following that inspection the provider wrote to us to tell us what action they would take to address the matters we had brought to their attention. During this inspection we saw evidence to confirm that the provider had done so.

All care plans had been reviewed to ensure they continued to meet peoples care and support needs. During this inspection the staff did not appear to be rushed and the atmosphere was calm.

A programme of refurbishment, repair and improvement was underway and a considerable amount of work had been completed since the last inspection.

The provider had undertaken a complete review of staffing to ensure that levels were correct and that there were suitable and skilled staff on each shift to attend to people using the service. Staff were supported by training, supervision and appraisal.

Systems were in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service provided.

Each person had a care plan in place which described their care and support needs. Care plans were not always being regularly reviewed to ensure they were accurate and up to date. People did not always received care and support in a timely manner.

The provider did not have arrangements in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies.

One person living at the home said "At the moment there are staffing problems. Something has been going on but I'm not sure what. All I know is they don't have time for us". A relative of a person living at the home said "I have no complaints about the willingness of staff when anything is brought to their attention. I am really concerned that there are not enough staff to deal with the number of residents with their various disabilities".

The home appeared to have a good team of willing staff but the provider did not appear to have acted to support them. This impacted upon the level and support given to people living at the home.

The provider did not have effective systems in place to enable them to come to an informed view about the standard of care and treatment being provided to those living at the home.

Accurate care records were not being maintained in respect of each person living at the home.

This visit to Dryclough Manor was unannounced. We spoke in private with two people who used the service five visiting relatives and three members of staff. Overall people were positive about the provision of care.

People could influence the way in which their personal care needs were met and were regularly involved in informal discussions about their care. The care needs of each person using the service were individually assessed and regularly reviewed.

The procedure for receiving, storing, administering and disposing of unused medication appeared to be strictly followed.

The staff at Dryclough Manor were subject to thorough vetting before they started employment.

The home had a complaints procedure and people told us that complaints were listened to.

We visited Dryclough Manor on the 26 January 2012. People who lived there told us “It is all right here” and “It's not bad on the whole.” Another person said “Staff come quickly when called.” One relative told us that the “Staff are marvellous. Overall I am quite happy with the care here." Another relative told us that "Staff are helpful."

People told us that there were activities going on. One person said that they preferred to watch television rather than join in with the activities. People told us that they were able to have something else to eat if they did not want what was on the menu for that meal. We were also told that the "“Food is not bad” and “I would recommend people to come here.”

A relative said that “I get on well with the staff. The manager is approachable and she will sort out any issues that I have."