The inspection took place on 27 April, 2018 and was unannounced, which meant that nobody at the service knew we would be visiting. Although this was an existing service, this was the first inspection since being taken over by a new provider. They registered with the Care Quality Commission in April 2017.

Flower Park 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.

Flower Park Care Home is a 40 bed home providing care and support to older people. The home is built over two floors with the upper floor predominantly accommodating people living with dementia. Flower Park is situated in the Doncaster suburb of Denaby.

At the time of our inspection the service had a registered manager. 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.

The service was rated ‘Requires Improvement.’

People’s needs and preferences were not always detailed in care records. However, there was evidence that people received personalised care and staff were aware of people’s needs and preferences.

There was a need to improve the documentation to show that decisions were made in people’s best interests. But overall, evidence showed that 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. This was because the management team were aware of who had an authorised Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) in place, or if any conditions were attached. Consent to care and treatment was sought in line with current legislation.

We found the environment did not always meet the needs of people living with dementia. The environment was mainly well maintained and clean, some areas could be improved.

Documentation regarding what people had to eat could be improved. But overall, evidence showed that people received a nutritious diet.

Activities were provided. However, it was not clear if these met the needs of all the people who used the service.. Some areas for improvement had not been identified by the audits that were in place and there was no formal process to evidence provider oversight. However, audits had identified some areas of development and these were actioned. There was evidence that people had a voice and were given opportunities to be involved in the home. However, this could also be improved. People were safeguarded from the risks of abuse. Staff were knowledgeable regarding safeguarding were aware of how to identify possible abuse and correct procedures to record and report. Risks associated with people’s care had been identified and were managed.

Medication systems were robust overall. However, there was need to improve protocols and documentation for medication prescribed on an ‘as and when’ required basis for topical medication.

Accidents and incidents were monitored on a monthly basis showing a clear audit trail and the registered provider ensured lessons were learnt. We observed staff interacting with people and found there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs in a timely way.

People had access to healthcare professionals and staff followed their advice.

Staff received training on a regular basis and were knowledgeable about their role.

We observed staff interacting in a positive way with people. Staff were observed to be kind and considerate all the interaction we saw were very respectful. People’s privacy and dignity was also respected.

People told us they felt able to raise concerns and com