We inspected Saffrons Care Home on 8 and 10 January 2019. The first day of the inspection was unannounced. This was the first inspection of Saffrons Care Home under this provider.

Saffrons Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or 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.

The home accommodates up to 20 people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection there were 17 people living there. People were living with a range of needs associated with the frailties of old age. Some people were living with the early stages of a dementia type illness.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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.

There were systems in place to assure quality and identify if any improvements to the service were needed. The registered manager and provider had good oversight of the service and what was needed to improve and develop the service. However, we found improvements were needed to people’s records in relation to ‘as required’ medicines and mental capacity assessments.

People were supported by staff who knew them well and treated them with kindness, respect and understanding. Staff understood people’s support needs and ensured care provided was person-centred and met people’s individual needs and choices.

People were enabled to make decisions and choices about what they did each day. They were involved in planning their own care and their dignity and privacy was respected. There was an activity programme which people enjoyed participating in as they wished.

Staff had a good understanding of the risks associated with the people they looked after. Risk assessments were in place and provided the guidance staff needed. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination.

People’s received their medicines when they needed them. Medicines were ordered, stored administered and disposed of safely. There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed. Recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff worked at the home.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s health and well-being needs were met. They were supported to have access to healthcare services when they needed them. Staff were trained and supported to deliver care in a way that responded to people's needs

People’s nutritional needs were met. They had a choice of food and drink throughout the day. Discussions about meal choices and preferences were ongoing through resident meetings and feedback surveys. Systems were in place to gather feedback from people and staff and this was used to improve the service.

The registered manager was well thought of by people and their relatives. The registered manager and provider were supportive to staff.