This inspection took place on 22 February and 10 March 2017 and was announced. We gave the registered provider 48 hours’ notice as it was an extra care service and we wanted to make sure people would be in. This is the first time the service has been inspected since it was registered on 23 February 2016.

Gildacre Fields is registered to provide personal care to people living in their own apartments at an extra care housing complex. There are 100 apartments and 30 bungalows within the scheme and at the time of the inspection there were 47 people in receipt of a care service.

The service had 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.

Staff had up to date training in how to safeguard people. The registered manager made referrals to the local authority safeguarding team when any concerns were reported by staff or identified by them.

People had risk assessments in place and associated care plans were clearly linked and updated in line with risk assessment reviews.

Staffing requirements were assessed in line with people’s support needs. From staffing rotas we found staffing levels were consistent and staffing cover was provided by existing staff. Staff were recruited in a safe and consistent manner with all necessary checks carried out.

Medicines were managed in a safe way. Records were complete and up to date with regular medicine audits being carried out. Any errors identified were investigated and acted upon.

Staff had up to date training and competency assessments were carried out in relation to specific areas, including the management of medicines. Regular direct observations of staff practices were also carried out as part of the supervision process.

People had capacity assessments and best interest decisions were made in relation to specific activities or topics. These were recorded and decision specific.

People were supported to meet their nutritional needs, including where people had special dietary needs.

People were supported to access services from a range of health care professionals when required. These included district nurses, GPs, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and falls team.

People's care plans were detailed, personalised, and reflected their current needs. Staff used them as a guide to deliver support to people in line with their choices and personal preferences.

People and relatives knew how to make a complaint or raise concerns and would feel comfortable in doing so. Some people confirmed they had no complaints about the care they received and they were happy with everything. Other people told us they had complained previously and that the registered manager dealt with and resolved their complaints satisfactorily.

People, relatives and staff told us the registered manager was approachable and operated an open door policy.

A range of regular audits was carried out that related to the service the scheme provided, as well as the premises and environment.

The service received a number of compliments and thank you cards from people who received care and their relatives about the support and professionalism of staff.