Sanctuary Home Care Ltd – March provides personal care to mainly older people living on-site. Communal and dining facilities are provided. Each person’s flat is provided with kitchen, lounge and an en suite shower. There are communal bathing and toilet facilities. At the time of our inspection 23 people were using the service.

This comprehensive inspection was unannounced. It was carried out by one inspector on 15 November 2016.

The provider is required, as part of their registration, to have a registered manager. A registered manager was in post at the time of our visit. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage a registered service. 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 kept safe because staff were knowledgeable about reporting any incident of harm. There were enough staff to support people with their individual needs. Pre-employment checks were completed so that only suitable staff looked after people who used the service. People were supported to take their medicines as prescribed.

People were helped to eat and drink sufficient amounts of food and drink. People were able to choose where they wanted to have their meals. A main lunch time meal was provided on-site for those people who chose not to cook for them self. People were supported to access health care services, if they were unable to do this to maintain their individual health conditions. The nature of the care promoted people’s well-being by reducing the risk of social isolation.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the Mental Capacity Act 2005 [MCA 2005] and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards [DoLS] and to report on what we find. At the time of our inspection no person was assessed to lack capacity. Staff members had an understanding of the application of the MCA. Staff were aware of the actions to take if a person required a DoLS application to be made and had clear policy guidance about this legislation.

People benefited from being looked after by staff, who were trained and supported to do their job.

Staff looked after people in a kind and caring way. People and their relatives were involved in the review of their or family members’ individual care plans.

People’s individual health and social care needs were met. Staff had access to up-to-date records to provide people with the care that met their individual needs. People were able to make friends with each other. There was a process in place so that people’s concerns and complaints were listened to and these were acted upon.

There were management arrangements in place which supported care staff to look after people safely. Staff were made aware of their roles and responsibilities to provide people with safe and quality care. Staff and people who used the service were able to make suggestions and actions were taken, if these were needed.