Forest home provides accommodation for up to 39 older people. The service does not provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection there were 31 people living at Forest 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.

When we inspected this service in February 2015, there was a breach of Regulation 13 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 Management of medicines. During this inspection the stock balances for some of the regularly prescribed medications did not tally with the records. At this inspection we found the provider had taken action to address these concerns.

The administration of medicines was safe. Staff had been trained in the administration of medicines and had up to date policies and procedures to follow. Their competency was checked regularly. However, on the day of inspection we identified a medication error, the registered manager was alerted and followed the medication error procedure that included checking with the GP that the person was not at risk. Following this inspection the registered manager sent us full details of the actions they had taken.

Only senior staff are responsible for administering medication but this error had not been identified. We have made a recommendation about the management of some medicines.

People were cared for by staff who had a good understanding of protecting people from the risk of abuse and who understood how to meet peoples care needs safely. Staff knew their responsibility to report any concerns and were confident that action would be taken to protect people .

Individual and environmental risks relating to people's health and welfare had been identified and assessed to reduce those risks. Regular safety checks were carried out on the environment and equipment.

New staff received induction training to provide them with the skills to care for people. Staff files showed staff had undertaken sufficient training to meet the needs of people and they were supervised regularly to check their competence. Supervision sessions also gave staff the opportunity to discuss their work and identify any necessary training.

People needs were met promptly. Both relatives and staff said that there were sufficient staff numbers to meet people's needs and we saw staff responding to people in a timely way. People's rights and freedoms were respected by staff.

People who lived at Forest Home had access to healthcare professionals and appointments were documented with outcomes implemented in care plans. We found staff had responded promptly when people had experienced health problems.

The registered manager had received training and understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, which meant they were working within the law to support people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions.

We found the service was caring. People told us staff were kind and patient. We observed staff were warm and friendly when they interacted with people.

Quality assurance systems were in place to drive improvements. People and relatives were encouraged to give their views about the service. A complaints procedure was available and people knew who to speak to if they had a concern.

This was an unannounced inspection carried out on 24 February 2015.

Forest home provides accommodation for up to 39 older people. The service does not provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection there were thirty people living at Forest home.

The service has 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.

People considered they were safe and thought the staff were helpful and supportive of them. People also thought this of the other people who lived at the service. The manager regularly assessed the staffing levels at the service and arranged for all staff to receive training including in recognising and responding to matters related to safeguarding people.

Staff received induction training upon joining the service and on-going training throughout the year, plus supervision and a yearly appraisal.

Relatives found the manager and senior staff approachable and could speak to them if they ever needed to do so or had concerns.

Medicines were stored safely, there was a policy and procedure in place and the service had systems to identify medication errors. During our inspection we found the stock balance for all the controlled drugs were accurate, however the stock balances for some of the regularly prescribed medications did not tally with the records.

Staff knew peoples likes and dislikes and ensured they received care that was responsive to their needs.

The registered manager had received training and understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which meant they were working with the law to support people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions. The service had a plan in place for all staff to receive training in this subject in 2015.

The service supported people to maintain their independence and enjoy spent their leisure time which included going out shopping or participating in the house activities.

Each person had a care plan which was reviewed regularly and everyone had their own GP and support as required from the district nursing team. All people were complimentary of the food. People cared for in bed had there food and fluid intake monitored to ensure it met their needs.

There was a system in place for responding to people’s concerns and complaints. The registered manager informed us which was confirmed by the people who used the service that they toured the service each day. This provided an opportunity to meet with people and discuss any issues or concerns and take any necessary appropriate steps to resolve any issues.

Staff told us they were supported by the manager and visitors told us that they were confident to approach any member of the management team if they had any concerns.

We spoke with four people who used the service, two relatives and three members of staff as part of this inspection. People who used the service told us, that they were happy with the care they received and that they felt safe. One person said, “The staff help me, I have become a little forgetful.”

People told us the food was well cooked and there was plenty of it. One person said, “the deserts are lovely.”

At our previous inspection we had concerns regarding people giving their consent, some aspects of care planning and safeguarding arrangements. The service has addressed all these concerns and we have found them compliant for each of these outcomes. Further information is in this report.

We found that the service was meeting the personal, emotional and healthcare needs of people who used the service. The environment was maintained safely, care plans were well documented and up to date and the service carefully sought the person’s consent about how they wished their care to be delivered.

At the time of this inspection there were 32 people who lived at Forest Home. We spoke with four people who used the service and five members of staff as part of this inspection. People who used the service told us that were very happy with the care they received and that they felt safe. One person stated that, "There is always someone to help me and have a laugh with." Another person commented that, "There is a homely and welcoming atmosphere here."

We found that staff were supervised and trained appropriately to carry out their role effectively. Medication was being administered safely to people and managed effectively.

We found that consent had not always been recorded within people’s care plans and that people's nutritional and dietary needs had not been fully assessed. We also found that the service did not always meet the personal, emotional and healthcare needs of the people who used the service.

We found that the service had failed to follow the correct procedure for reporting allegations of abuse which had placed people at risk of harm and abuse.

During the inspection, we spoke to six people who use the service. We also spoke to the manager, staff team, two district nurses and relatives of those who live at Forest Home. The district nurses told us that the manager and staff always approached them for appropriate guidance and professional input in health related matters that concerned the well being of the people living in the home. The district nurses informed us that they thought the home was well managed and caring. The relatives we spoke to told us that they were able happy with the care provided to their loved one and that they were able to visit when they wanted. One relative told us “if needs must, I would also be happy to live here.” We talked to people and also observed their experience of being cared for by their interactions with staff throughout the inspection. The behaviour of people we met and what we were told indicated that they were happy with the care.