We inspected Oakside on 25 October 2016. This was an unannounced inspection. Oakside provides accommodation and support for up to 17 people. The service provides care and support to people at risks of falls and long term healthcare needs such as diabetes. On the day of our inspection there were seven people living at the service.

We last inspected Oakside on 29 January 2014 where we found it to be compliant with all areas inspected.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Although people, their relatives and staff spoke positively regarding the leadership of the service, we found senior staff had not established robust systems to enable clear oversight of all areas of the service. For example in relation to record keeping and quality assurance.

People appeared happy and relaxed with staff. There were sufficient staff to support them. When staff were recruited, their employment history was checked, references obtained and induction completed. Checks were also undertaken to ensure new staff were safe to work within the care sector. Staff were knowledgeable and trained in safeguarding and knew what action they should take if they suspected abuse was taking place. Appropriate training was provided to ensure staff were confident to meet people’s needs.

It was clear care staff had spent time with people, getting to know them, gaining an understanding of their personal history and building rapport with them. People were provided with a choice of healthy food and drink ensuring their nutritional needs were met.

People’s needs had been assessed and care plans developed. Care plans contained risk assessments for a wide range of daily living needs. People received the care they required, and staff members were clear on people’s individual needs. Care was provided with kindness and compassion. Staff members were responsive to people’s changing needs. People’s health and wellbeing was monitored and the provider regularly liaised with healthcare professionals for advice and guidance.

Medicines were managed safely in accordance with current regulations and guidance. There were systems in place to ensure that medicines were stored, administered and disposed appropriately.

The CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. We found that the manager understood when an application should be made and how to submit one. Where people lacked the mental capacity to make specific decisions the home was guided by the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

Although most people chose to remain in their rooms for extended periods of the day they were provided with opportunities to take part in activities ‘in-house’ and to access the local and wider community. People were supported to take an active role in decision making regarding their own daily routines and the general flow of their home.

Staff had a clear understanding of the vision and philosophy of the home and they spoke positively about their work and the leadership.

We spent time speaking with people who use the service, we spoke with staff members and the homes management team. We observed how staff interacted with people and provided support to people and looked at some records. People who use the service told us "It is very nice here." and "The care and care staff are very good."

We found that people who use the service were involved in decisions about the care and treatment they receive. Care plans were detailed and person centred. There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty at any one time with the appropriate skills and training to meet the needs of people. We examined the systems in place for the safe management of medicine and found this to be effective. We found that there was an appropriate complaints system available.

People told us that they were happy with the care and support they received. One person told us that the staff were thoughtful and the food was “amazing”. Another person told us that the food was “good” and that they “don’t want for anything”, feeling “very contented”. People spoke of being afforded privacy and being respected. They were able to meet with the manager as they wanted.

In our discussions with staff they demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the people living at Oakside. They talked about people with respect and supported people to maintain as much independence as possible.

Care records showed that people were supported and encouraged to make decisions about their care and daily life. We saw that people and their relatives had been involved in planning the care and support they required. When people’s needs changed we found that records had been updated to reflect this. We saw timely intervention from health professionals, with prior consent.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of how to safeguard people from harm. Training records showed that staff received regular training to update their knowledge on identifying abuse. Records also showed that staff were widely trained in many areas. Staff told us that the management team were very supportive and encouraged their work within the home.

Records showed the provider regularly assessed and monitored the quality of the service. We saw that people were asked their views about the home in surveys.