This inspection took place on 20 and 27 September 2018 and the first day was unannounced. This meant no-one at the service knew we were planning to visit. This was our first inspection of this service with this registered provider.

Valley Park is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Valley Park is registered to provide residential accommodation for up to 56 older people, including those living with dementia. The home is located in Wombwell, near Barnsley. At the time of this inspection there were 38 people living at Valley Park.

There was a registered manager employed 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 not enough staff employed at Valley Park. This was impacting on all aspects of the service and the tool used to determine staffing levels was ineffective. A different staff dependency tool was implemented after the first day of this inspection, which calculated more staff were required.

The registered provider had failed to ensure staff received appropriate training, support, supervision and appraisals to enable them to carry out their role effectively.

People’s care records did not show whether they had been involved in decisions and had consented to their care, treatment and support. People’s care records needed updating to reflect their current care and support needs. We saw plans were in place to improve care records. The local authority was supporting the registered manager to do this.

The quality assurance and audit systems in place to monitor and improve service delivery were not effective. Action plans were not completed when areas for improvement had been identified.

The registered provider employed an activity coordinator for 30 hours per week, however this member of staff also covered for care staff shortages. People told us they would like more activities and things to do.

Staff understood what it meant to protect people from abuse. They knew how to report unsafe practice.

Medicines were stored safely and securely, and procedures were in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.

We saw the premises were clean and well maintained. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in relation to infection control and hygiene.

Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The registered provider’s policies and systems supported this practice.

People told us they enjoyed the food served at Valley Park, which we saw took into account their dietary needs and preferences.

We saw the signage and decoration of the premises were suitable to meet the needs of people living with dementia.

Positive and supportive relationships had been developed between people, their relatives, and staff. People told us they were treated with dignity and respect.

There was a complaints procedure displayed in the reception area. People told us they were confident in reporting any concerns to the staff and registered manager.

The service had policies and procedures which reflected current legislation and good practice guidance, however staff did not have access to paper copies of all of them. On the second day of this inspection all the policies and procedures had been printed out so staff could now access them.

Safety and maintenance checks for the premises and equipment were in place and up to date.

We found two breaches o