This inspection was unannounced and took place from 7 to 16 August 2018. The staff and provider did not know that we would be visiting.

This was the first inspection since the new provider registered to operate this service.

Rossmere Park Care Centre is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Rossmere Parck Care Centre provides care and accommodation for up to 50 people who may need nursing care. It offers care and support to older people and people who are living with dementia. On the day of our inspection there were 41 people using the service.

The registered manager had been in post since the service was registered in April 2018. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were happy and told us they felt safe. The staff had a clear understanding of safeguarding and ensured that action was taken if concerns arose about the way people were supported. Staff ensured any risks were closely managed. Following the purchase of the service we found that the provider had consistently worked to drive improvements within the service.

People who used the service and the staff we spoke with told us that there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. The management team closely considered people’s needs and ensured sufficient staff were on duty each day and night.

Effective recruitment and selection procedures were in place and we saw that appropriate vetting checks had been undertaken before staff began work. The checks included obtaining references from previous employers to show staff employed were safe to work with vulnerable people.

We reviewed the systems for the management of medicines and found that people received their medicines safely. The registered manager ensured action was taken to ensure staff adhered to the medication policy.

The service had been totally refurbished and action was taken to ensure the building and equipment was maintained to a satisfactory standard. When issues were raised with the maintenance person these were dealt with straight away. Consideration was being given to installing air conditioning as some areas such as the lounges and treatment rooms could become excessively hot.

People’s care needs were assessed and plans were tailored for them as individuals but at times not all of the relevant information had been put into care plans. The registered manager had identified this gap and was already in the process of improving the plans. People were cared for by staff who knew them really well and understood how to support them.

Where people had difficulty making decisions we saw that staff gently supported them to work out what they felt was best. Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and had appropriately requested Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DoLS) authorisations. DoLS authorisations are used for people who need to be deprived of their liberty lawfully in their best interests to maintain their health and safety. Work was being completed to ensure all of the required MCA documentation was in place.

We observed that staff had developed very positive relationships with the people who used the service. The interactions between people and staff were jovial and supportive. Staff were kind and respectful and we saw that they were aware of how to respect people’s privacy and dignity. Staff sensitively supported people to deal with their personal care needs. People felt they would receive support from staff when needed. We found that a range of stimulating and engaging