This unannounced inspection was carried out on 26 June 2017. Westwolds provides accommodation and personal care for up to 34 older people. On the day of our inspection visit there were 27 people who were using the service.

The service had a registered manager in place at the time of our inspection. 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 staff who understood the risks they could face and knew how to keep them safe. Risks to people’s health and safety were identified and action was taken when needed to reduce these. There were sufficient staff employed to meet people’s needs. People received their medicines as prescribed and these were managed safely.

People were supported by staff who received appropriate training and supervision and had an understanding of people’s care needs. People were supported to make choices and decisions for themselves. People who might lack capacity to make certain decisions were assessed to see if they did, and if needed decisions were made in their best interests.

People were provided with a nutritious diet which met their needs and were provided with any support they needed to ensure they had enough to eat and drink. Staff understood people’s healthcare needs and their role in supporting them with these.

People were cared for and supported by staff who respected them as individuals. Staff had caring relationships with people and respected their privacy and dignity. People were involved in planning and reviewing their own care and some people were supported by relatives in doing so.

People received individualised care and they were able to participate in meaningful interaction and activities. People’s care records would be improved if they contained more detail. People knew how to raise any complaints or concerns they had and felt confident that these would be dealt with.

People used a service which was flexible in accordance with their needs. The managers provided leadership that gained the respect of staff and motivated them as a team. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and make improvements when needed.