This inspection was announced 24 hours’ prior to our visit, as it is a small home and we wanted to ensure that someone would be available to speak with us. This was the first comprehensive inspection carried out of this service which was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in June 2017.

The Meadows 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 accommodates up to 6 people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection 3 people were living in the home.

The Meadows provided accommodation, care and rehabilitation to adults who have neurological difficulties such as acquired brain injury. The home had communal areas such as a kitchen and lounge, and people were accommodated in their own rooms, each with an en-suite shower or bathroom

There was a registered manager working in 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.

People were supported by a suitable number of staff who understood how to keep them safe, and staff were recruited safely. Risks to people were assessed and mitigated, including those associated with the environment they lived in as well as their own health needs. Staff administered and supervised medicines safely, and people received these as prescribed. The home was clean and there were infection control processes in place.

People’s needs were thoroughly assessed prior to moving into the home. The staff continued to work effectively with other teams to ensure people received consistent care. Staff received training relevant to their roles, including the provider’s mandatory training as well as training specific to some people’s needs. They also received supervision from the management team. Staff supported people to drink enough and to eat a balanced diet, and to access healthcare from other professionals as needed.

People lived in a homely environment and garden which was adapted to their needs. Staff knew about people’s mental capacity and understood how to support people to make decisions. There were also appropriate healthcare professionals involved in making best interests decisions for some people.

There were caring and supportive relationships between staff and people. Staff adapted their communication according to people’s needs. Privacy and dignity was respected at all times, and people and relatives were involved in their care as much as possible.

Care records were in place for people living in the home, and these contained individualised guidance for staff about how to support people. People were able to go out into the local community if they wanted, and participate in activities, as well as do activities in the home with staff.

People and relatives felt they could raise any concerns with staff, and a complaints system was in place.

There was good leadership in place and staff felt happy in their roles. There were quality assurance systems in place which contributed to assessing, monitoring, and improving the service provided.