The inspection took place on 30 October 2018 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection carried out by the CQC since the home changed ownership in November 2017.

Woodlands Care Home 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 home is situated in Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire. There are 46 bedrooms for single occupancy (15 with toilet and wash hand basin facilities) and four bedrooms for double occupancy with wash hand basin facilities. Bathrooms and toilets were shared. The first floor was accessible to everybody using a staircase or a lift.

Woodlands Care Home provides accommodation for up to 54 people some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of this inspection there were 41 people living at the home and receiving a service.

There was a registered manager in place. 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 told us they felt safe living at the home and staff understood how to recognise and report any signs of abuse. There were effective systems in place to manage any safeguarding concerns and these were reviewed, with actions implemented to keep people safe.

The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Care workers understood their responsibilities under the MCA and were actively promoting people's independence. The manager and care workers understood Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. They had made appropriate referrals to the relevant authorities to ensure people's rights were protected. Assessments of associated risks were carried out to ensure any care and support activities were safe and with minimal restrictions.

Assessments were carried out around the home environment including any equipment used, to ensure it was safe for everybody. Where any concerns were highlighted action plans were implemented and reviewed for their effectiveness.

Care workers were supported to complete training, learning and development that enabled them to fulfil the requirements of their role and meet people's individual needs and support their preferences.

People were assessed and supported to take their medicines safely as prescribed. Systems and processes in place ensured people’s medicines were managed and administered safely by staff who had been checked as competent and who followed national best practice.

The provider had systems and process in place to ensure staff were appropriately recruited into the service. Staff received appropriate induction, supervision, support and training to acquire and update their skills to meet people’s individual needs and fulfil their roles.

We observed there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. People confirmed they received care and support from regular care workers who they knew.

The provider completed a range of checks on the systems and processes in place to ensure they were fit for the purpose: to maintain and improve the service. We saw this included oversight of accidents and incidents, complaints and concerns, and other audits and maintenance checks.

People received information in a format they could understand and were supported to communicate their needs, and these were recorded to ensure peoples’ needs were met.

The provider included people or their representatives in discussions regarding their health and wellbeing. Any positive behaviour support plans were evaluated and included input by appropriate health professionals for effectiveness.

People were supported to maintain a healthy and balanced