Highcroft Care Home

People were protected from abuse by staff who understood how to identify and report any concerns. Risk to people's health and wellbeing had been assessed. Risk assessments in place gave staff guidance on how to minimise risks to people.

Recruitment checks had been carried out. There was enough staff on duty to meet people's needs.

The premises were clean and tidy. Steps had been taken to protect people from the risk of infection. Appropriate fire safety arrangements were in place. Records showed maintenance had been carried out within the home.

Staff received appropriate training and they had the knowledge, skills and experience to support people. Staff had regular one to one meetings with their line managers. Staff said they enjoyed working at the home and the manager was very supportive and approachable.

Staff supported people to have a healthy and nutritious diet which was in line with their care plans and preferences.

There was a complaints procedure in place, we noted the service had not received any formal complaints within the last six months.

The home was managed effectively. Management monitored the quality and safety of the service to ensure it remained safe for people. Quality assurance systems were in place to enable management to monitor and improve the quality of the care being delivered.

Staff understood their responsibilities regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were supported

to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

During this inspection we carried out a separate thematic probe, which asked questions of the provider, people and their relatives, about the quality of oral health care support and access to dentists, for people living in the care home. This was to follow up on the findings and recommendations from our national report on oral healthcare in care homes that was published in 2019 called 'Smiling Matters'. We will publish a follow up report to the 2019 'Smiling Matters' report, with up to date findings and recommendations about oral health, in due course.