This inspection took place on 25 July 2018 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection of the service since it was registered to the current provider – Country Court Care Homes 2 Limited, in July 2017.

The Laurels 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 care home is registered to accommodate up to 21 people. It specialises in providing care and support to older people. At the time of the inspection there were 19 people living at the home.

There is a registered manager in post. 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.

The home was well led by a registered manager and provider who were open and approachable. They were committed to continually monitoring standards and improving the service offered to people.

People and staff were very positive about the changes that had taken place since the new provider had taken on the running of the home. People felt listened to and their suggestions were put into practice where practicable.

People were cared for by staff who were kind and compassionate. People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. One person told us, “I feel well looked after and definitely safe.”

Staff carried out assessments of people’s individual needs and created care plans to show how people would be supported to maintain their independence. Care plans gave information about people’s likes, dislikes and lifestyle choices to make sure staff were able to provide person centred care.

People’s health and well-being was monitored and staff supported people to see health care professionals according to their individual needs.

People had their nutritional needs assessed and met. People were happy with the food provided and told us there was always choices of meals. People were able to choose where they ate their meals. The majority of people ate in the dining room which made mealtimes a pleasant sociable occasion.

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.

Staff respected people’s choices and supported their independence. People were able to make choices about their day to day lives and staff respected people as individuals. Where people lacked the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves staff acted in a way that respected their legal rights.

There was a programme of activities and entertainment which people could choose to join in with if they wished to. One person told us, “There’s plenty going on.” Another person said, “No I don’t join in, but that’s my choice.”