This inspection was unannounced and took place on 16 October 2018. This was the first inspection of the service since the provider changed in April 2017.

Langdale House 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.

Langdale House is registered to provide residential and nursing care for up to 31 older people living with dementia and / or physical disability. The home is on two floors with a passenger lift for access. There is a dining room, lounge and conservatory and an enclosed garden. On the day of our inspection visit there were 28 people living at the home.

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.

Staff treated people with kindness, respect and compassion. They continually engaged with people and most shared conversation with them as they went about their work supporting people. From people’s reactions and responses, we saw that this contributed to a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the home.

The staff team was established and people had the opportunity to get to know the staff supporting them. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported and used information about their life histories to enhance their daily lives. For example, staff helped a person to enjoy their favourite music.

Staff understood the importance of supporting people to express their views and be actively involved in making decisions about their care and support. People chose what time they got up and when to go to bed and where they had their meals. Staff respected people’s privacy, dignity and independence.

People told us they felt safe at the home and staff were knowledgeable about how to keep them safe from accidents and incidents. People had risk assessments in place which staff followed to increase their safety. During our inspection we saw staff providing people with safe and appropriate assistance to make their way around the home.

Staffing levels were safe. People did not have to wait if they needed support including during the busiest time of the day when people were supported to have their lunch. Records showed staff were safely recruited, in line with the providers’ staff recruitment policy, to ensure they were safe to work with people using care services.

The registered manager carried out audits of the home and acted to ensure the premises and equipment were safe to use. All areas of the premises were clean and fresh.

People’s cultural needs were met and staff had a good understanding of equality and diversity and how to provide non-discriminatory care and support. Staff had the training they needed to provide effective care. All staff completed a range of training courses including health and safety, moving and handling, and safeguarding. The providers and managers were keen for staff to develop their skills and arranged training that was relevant to the needs of the people living at the home.

People told us they enjoyed their meals at the home and had a varied diet and choice. If people had any dietary requirements or preferences staff ensured these were met. People were referred to dieticians if they needed specialised support with their nutrition and records showed staff followed their advice.

People saw GPs and other healthcare professionals when they needed to. Staff worked closely with visiting health care professionals to ensure people's healthcare needs were met. Staff were trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and understood the import