This inspection took place on the 28 and 29 June 2016. Z&M Care Limited, 4-10 Lyndhurst Road was last inspected on 13 January 2014 and no concerns were identified. Z&M Care Limited, 4-10 Lyndhurst Road is located in Hove. It provides accommodation with personal care and support for up to 37 people, some of whom were living with varying stages of dementia, along with healthcare needs such as diabetes, sensory impairment or a learning disability. Accommodation was arranged over three floors. On the day of our inspection, there were 34 people living at the service.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 happy and relaxed with staff. They said they felt safe and there were sufficient staff to support them. One person told us, “I feel safe here because there is always someone around”. When staff were recruited, their employment history was checked and references obtained. Checks were also undertaken to ensure new staff were safe to work within the care sector. Staff were knowledgeable and trained in safeguarding adults and what action they should take if they suspected abuse was taking place.

Medicines were managed safely and in accordance with current regulations and guidance. There were systems in place to ensure that medicines had been stored, administered, audited and reviewed appropriately.

People were being supported to make decisions in their best interests. The registered manager and staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

Accidents and incidents were recorded appropriately and steps taken to minimise the risk of similar events happening in the future. Risks associated with the environment and equipment had been identified and managed. Emergency procedures were in place in the event of a fire and people knew what to do, as did the staff.

Staff had received essential training and there were opportunities for additional training specific to the needs of people, which included diabetes management and the care of people with dementia. Staff had received both one-to-one and group supervision meetings with their manager, and formal personal development plans, such as annual appraisals were in place. One member of staff told us, “They support me and help me with my training. I am doing an NVQ (a diploma in health and social care) at the moment”.

People were encouraged and supported to eat and drink well. There was a varied daily choice of meals and people were able to give feedback and have choice in what they ate and drank. One person told us, “I like the food here [the chef] is very good to me”. Special dietary requirements were met, and people’s weight was monitored, with their permission. Health care was accessible for people and appointments were made for regular check-ups as needed.

People chose how to spend their day and they took part in activities in the service and the community. People told us they enjoyed the activities, which included singing, exercises, films, arts and crafts and themed events, such as reminiscence sessions. One person told us, “They have a lovely garden, with birds here and we have barbeques in nice weather”. People were also encouraged to stay in touch with their families and receive visitors.

People felt well looked after and supported. We observed friendly and genuine relationships had developed between people and staff. A relative told us, “My [relative] is very happy with her care. She is well looked after”. Care plans described people’s needs and preferences and they were encouraged to be as independent as possible.

People were encouraged to express their views a

During our inspection we spoke with four people who use the service and a relative of someone that uses the service. We spoke with seven members of staff. They were the registered manager, a care manager, a deputy manager, a senior support worker, two care assistants and the cook. We also looked at the minutes of meetings as well as surveys to help us understand the views of the people who use the service.

One person who uses the service told us “I have a lovely room that is nice and warm with all my things around me”. Another person who uses the service told us “It is very good here, I have no complaints they look after me well”.

Staff we spoke with felt supported in their roles and enjoyed working at 4-10 Lyndhurst Road. One member of staff told us “I like working here as it feels homely and has a great community atmosphere”. Another member of staff told us “I think we are a good team and communicate well with one another”.

We also looked a care and support plans, risk assessments, staff records and policies and procedures.

People and their families told us they were happy with the care at 4-10 Lyndhurst Road. One person told us, “I think everything they do here is very good. The activities are good”. A family member said, “I couldn’t be happier, they are so good”.

There were good relationships between staff and people who use the service. We saw people participating in activities in the lounge. We also saw that arrangements were in place for people to go to day care.

Staff told us that they enjoyed their work and felt supported. Some commented positively about the management team. One member of staff said, “Everyone is very helpful here. Management is very good”.

We saw that the care planning process was structured and regular reviews took place. Staff said, “It works very well. Care plans are easy to read and understand”. People and families told us they had the opportunity to be involved.

We saw that the environment was clean and comfortable. We heard about plans to landscape the garden during the spring to create more seating and sensory features.

During our visit we spoke with a number of people who live at the service.

People living at the home told us they felt safe living at Z & M Care Limited and that staff knew what they needed and knew how they liked things done.

People we spoke with told us they felt able to say what they wanted and that staff would assist them with their needs.

Staff we spoke with knew the people living at the home well and had a good understanding of their care needs.