This inspection took place on 23 June 2017 and was unannounced. The service is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 24 people. The home is a converted Victorian house and is adjacent to Fairview Court Care Home run by the same providers. The facilities are over three floors and there is lift access to the upper floor. There are two shared bedrooms and 20 bedrooms for single occupancy. Some of the bedrooms have en-suite facilities. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people living in the home.

There was a registered manager 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.

All staff received awareness of vulnerable adult abuse training and were knowledgeable about safeguarding issues. They knew what to do if there were concerns about a person’s welfare and who to report their concerns too. Safe recruitment procedures were followed to ensure only suitable staff were employed. The appropriate steps were in place to protect people from being harmed.

Risk assessments were completed for each person. This ensured that where risks were identified there were plans in place to reduce or eliminate the risk. Medicines were managed safely. The premises were well maintained and regular maintenance checks were completed. Checks were also made of the fire safety systems, the hot and cold water temperatures and equipment to make sure they were safe for staff and people to use.

Staffing levels per shift were kept under review and the number of staff on duty was adjusted as and when necessary. The levels were determined by looking at the collective care and support needs of the people who lived at Fairview House. Staff had enough time to meet people’s needs because there were enough of them on duty at any given time. People were safe because the staffing levels were sufficient.

New staff completed an induction training programme at the start of their employment and also completed the Care Certificate. All other staff had mandatory training to complete to ensure they had the necessary skills and knowledge to care for people correctly. Care staff were encouraged to complete nationally recognised qualifications in health and social care.

An assessment of each person capacity to make decisions was made as part of the care planning process. People were always asked to consent before receiving care. They were encouraged to make their own choices about aspects of their daily life. We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were provided with sufficient food and drink. Consideration was given to their likes and dislikes and any specific dietary needs for catered for. Where people were at risk of losing weight, they were provided with supplement drinks or fortified foods. In the hot weather people were offered regular fluids in order to prevent dehydration. Arrangements were made for people to see their GP and other healthcare professionals when they needed to.

People had good relationships with the staff who looked after them. Each person had a keyworker who would link with the person’s family or friends. People were given the opportunity to take part in a range of different meaningful social activities. There were group activities and external entertainers visited the service on a regular basis.

There were good assessment and care planning arrangements in place which meant people were provided with a person centred service that met their individual care and support needs. The service responded well to changes in people’s care needs. Staff received a handover report at the start of th