We inspected this service on 19 January 2017. This was an unannounced inspection. This was the first inspection at the service. The service was registered to provide accommodation for up to 51 people. People who used the service had physical health needs and/or were living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 39 people were using the service.

The service had a registered manager. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We found that the Mental Capacity Act 2005 was not being followed consistently throughout the service and that some mental capacity assessments had not been carried out where these may have been needed. Staff were trained in most areas of delivering safe care, however, there were gaps in relation to dementia care and challenging behaviour.

Complaints had been recorded and action taken as a result but we did find that these had not always been adequately responded to. This was addressed during the course of our inspection.

People felt safe at the service and risks associated with their care delivery had been assessed and planned for. Staff were trained in safeguarding and knew how to protect vulnerable people from abuse. People's medicines were safely managed and there were enough staff working at the service to meet people's needs. We found that staff had been safely recruited.

People could choose how they spent their time and were offered a choice of nutritious food and drink. There were activities available for people and people were able to maintain links with the local community wherever possible.

Staff were kind and caring and people were given the opportunity to be involved in their care.

The service was managed well. Staff felt supported and there was a positive atmosphere and supportive culture within the service.

The manager notified the relevant agencies when incidents occurred at the service and accidents and incidents were logged and action taken to reduce the risk of them re-occurring.