The Dale provides accommodation with personal care for up to 14 older people. There were 13 people living at the home at the time of the inspection. At the last inspection on 14 March 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection the service remained Good.

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.

The service was safe. Staff were knowledgeable about identifying abuse and how to report it to safeguard people. Recruitment procedures were satisfactory. Detailed risk assessments were in place for people using the service to support their safety. There were also processes in place to manage any risks in relation to the running of the service. Staff deployment was suitable for people's needs and people's medicines were safely managed.

The service was effective. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Records showed staff respected people's choices on decisions about their care and supported them to be as independent as possible. People enjoyed the food provided at the service and their dietary needs were met. Menu plans showed healthy options and included people's preferences and choices. Staff continued to support people to access healthcare professionals when needed. Feedback for health care professionals was very positive and confirmed the service remained proactive and worked with them to better people's lives.

The service was caring. We saw friendly, caring and supportive interactions between staff and people and staff knew the needs and preferences of the people using the service. Staff were caring, treated people with dignity and respect and ensured people's privacy was maintained particularly when being supported with their personal care needs. People were supported to retain as much independence and control as possible with daily living tasks.

The service was responsive. People's care needs had been assessed with them and they received the flexible support they needed from the service. Care plans were well organised and contained information covering all aspects of people's health and social care needs. Care planning was reviewed regularly and people's changing needs recorded. People knew how to complain and had easy access to the provider's complaints procedure.

The service was well-led and had a positive open culture. Quality assurances systems remained in place and were consistently used to ensure the safety of the premises and equipment and to improve people's care and support, although the registered manager was in the process of updating these checks.

The Dale provides accommodation with personal care for up to 14 older people. There were 13 people living at the home at the time of the inspection. At the last inspection on 14 March 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection the service remained Good.

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.

The service was safe. Staff were knowledgeable about identifying abuse and how to report it to safeguard people. Recruitment procedures were satisfactory. Detailed risk assessments were in place for people using the service to support their safety. There were also processes in place to manage any risks in relation to the running of the service. Staff deployment was suitable for people's needs and people's medicines were safely managed.

The service was effective. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Records showed staff respected people's choices on decisions about their care and supported them to be as independent as possible. People enjoyed the food provided at the service and their dietary needs were met. Menu plans showed healthy options and included people's preferences and choices. Staff continued to support people to access healthcare professionals when needed. Feedback for health care professionals was very positive and confirmed the service remained proactive and worked with them to better people's lives.

The service was caring. We saw friendly, caring and supportive interactions between staff and people and staff knew the needs and preferences of the people using the service. Staff were caring, treated people with dignity and respect and ensured people's privacy was maintained particularly when being supported with their personal care needs. People were supported to retain as much independence and control as possible with daily living tasks.

The service was responsive. People's care needs had been assessed with them and they received the flexible support they needed from the service. Care plans were well organised and contained information covering all aspects of people's health and social care needs. Care planning was reviewed regularly and people's changing needs recorded. People knew how to complain and had easy access to the provider's complaints procedure.

The service was well-led and had a positive open culture. Quality assurances systems remained in place and were consistently used to ensure the safety of the premises and equipment and to improve people's care and support, although the registered manager was in the process of updating these checks.

People’s privacy, dignity and independence were respected. People’s views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care. One person told us: “I am involved in what I want to be, nothing is forced.”

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. One person who used the service told us: "I wouldn’t change a thing, it’s smashing." Another person said: "I can’t fault it, the staff are wonderful.”

People were cared for in a clean, hygienic environment. The people we spoke with raised no concerns about the standard of cleanliness. They told us they thought the home was always clean and tidy.

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard. One staff member told us: "We have a wonderful staff team and very supportive management."

There was an effective complaints system available. Comments and complaints people made were responded to appropriately.

Before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. One person told us “Staff are very polite and respectful, they always ask my permission before doing anything.”

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. One person told us, "If you can’t be happy here then you can’t be happy anywhere".

A visiting relative told us “Staff are efficient and caring” and “Communication is good, there is lots of involvement around care and support for mum.”

People who used the service, staff and visitors were protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises. The provider carried out regular audits of the premises to ensure that they remained in good condition and fit for purpose.

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. One visiting relative told us “There is always staff available.”

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive. We saw various schedules for inspection to check cleanliness, safety, equipment and utilities.

We spoke with people who used the service. They were all very happy with their care. They told us that they were given support when needed, but were also given the chance to be as independent as possible.

People said “The care staff are lovely, they look after us very well and the food is nice with plenty of choices”.

People who spoke with us said “We get our medication on time and when we need it. The staff will call the GP when we feel unwell and they take us to our appointments at the hospital”.

People told us they were aware that they could talk to the manager or staff if they had any concerns. One person said “I have not had to say anything to them as everything is sorted out very quickly”