This unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on 13 and 22 March 2018.

Ilsom House provides nursing, residential, and respite care for up to 38 people. 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. At the time of our inspection 25 people were living there.

Ilsom House provides accommodation over two floors with bedrooms located on the ground and first floors. There was a passenger lift and stairs to access both floors.

Ilsom House Care Home was registered under a new legal entity on 31 January 2017 and this is the first inspection of the home since then. Staff and the registered manager at Ilsom House transferred across to the new owner and remain in post at the home. At the time of this inspection, the home was beginning the transition toward operating within the HC One infrastructure. For example, the systems and policies in use had yet to changeover, so belonged to the previous owner. The changeover process was expected to be completed within six months.

There was 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 told us they felt safe living at the service. Staff knew how to keep people safe from harm but the way in which staff were deployed sometimes resulted in lack of support for people. The registered manager is reviewing this. Staff had been employed following appropriate recruitment and selection processes. People lived in a safe environment but we have made a recommendation to support the manager to develop a dementia friendly environment.

People made most decisions and choices about their care when possible. When people did not have the capacity to make decisions staff followed the Mental Capacity Act guidance to protect them. People had access to healthcare professionals and their health and welfare was monitored by them.

People were treated with kindness and respect. They told us staff were kind when they supported them with their care. People were supported by staff that were well trained and had access to training to develop their knowledge.

People joined in with activities provided which included musical entertainment, crafts and exercises. People also had some engagement with the local community.

The registered manager was approachable with people and their relatives. The registered manager monitored the quality of the service, supported the staff team and ensured that people who used the service were able to make suggestions and raise concerns. We saw from recent audits that the registered manager was making progress in improving the quality of the service but some areas still required improvement.