This unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on 15 March 2017. We last carried out an inspection of this service in March 2015 and rated the service as requiring improvement. During this inspection we found the service met legal requirements.

Christian Head is a residential care home that provides personal care and accommodation for up to 31 people. At the time of our inspection there were 19 people living at the home. Accommodation is provided over two floors, one of which specialises in providing care for people living with dementia. Christian Head is located close to local shops and services in Kirkby Stephen including doctors' surgeries, banks and churches.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

Care plans were subject to regular review to ensure they met people’s changing needs. They were easy to read, based on assessments and reflected the needs of people. Risk assessments were carried out and plans were in place to reduce risks to people’s safety and welfare.

Where people were not able to make important decisions about their lives the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were followed to protect their rights. Staff were aware of how to identify and report abuse and knew what to do if staff had concerns about the practice of a colleague.

There was sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. They were trained to an appropriate standard and received regular supervision and appraisal. As part of the recruitment process the service carried out background checks on new staff.

The service managed medicines appropriately. They were correctly stored, monitored and administered in accordance with the prescription. People were supported to maintain their health and to access health services if needed. People who required support with eating and drinking received it and had their nutrition and hydration support needs regularly assessed.

Staff had developed good relationships with people and communicated in a warm and friendly manner. They were aware of how to treat people with dignity and respect. Policies were in place that outlined acceptable standards in this area.

There was a complaints procedure which informed people how to make a complaint and how long it would take to deal with. People were aware of how to raise a complaint and who to speak to about any concerns they had. The registered manager understood the importance of acknowledging and improving areas of poor practice identified in complaints.

The home was well led by a registered manager who had a vision for the future of the service. A quality assurance system was in place that was utilised to improve the service.