The inspection took place on 17 May 2018 and was announced. This was the service’s first inspection.

Abel Care and Support Ltd is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses in the community. It provides a service to older and younger adults, who may have learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder, dementia, mental health care needs, physical disabilities or sensory impairments. At the time of our inspection visit, 5 people were using the service.

Not everyone using Abel Care and Support Ltd receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

The service is required to have a registered manager and there was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

There was a strong person-centred culture within the service. Staff and management took a creative approach to ensuring people’s comfort and wellbeing. They built open and trusting relationships with the people they supported and their families. People were listened to and received full support to express their views and opinions. People and their relatives were treated with dignity and respect at all times, and there was a strong emphasis upon maintaining and developing people’s independence.

Staff had received training in, and understood, their role in protecting people from abuse and discrimination. The risks associated with people's individual care and support needs had been assessed, recorded and plans were in place to manage these. People received a consistent and reliable service from Abel Care and Support Ltd, provided by staff they knew well. The provider had taken steps to protect people, staff and others from the risk of infection.

Before people’s care started, their individual care and support needs were assessed to enable the provider to develop effective care plans. Staff received training, supervision and ongoing support to help them fulfil their duties and responsibilities. Any specific needs or risks associated with people’s meal preparation, eating or drinking had been assessed and managed. Management and staff sought to work in a collaborative manner with external organisations, teams and professionals to ensure people received joined-up care and support. If people were unwell, staff helped them to access prompt professional medical advice and treatment. Staff understood people's rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and respected their decisions.

People received care and support shaped around their individual needs and what was most important to them. People's care plans were individual to them, and were adhered to by staff. People and their relatives understood how to raise complaints or concerns with the provider, and felt comfortable and confident doing so.

People, their relatives, staff and community professionals had developed positive relationships with a caring and approachable management team. Staff felt valued and well-supported. The provider carried out effective quality assurance activities to assess, monitor and improve the quality of the care and support people received.