We inspected this service on 3 and 5 May 2017. We informed the registered manager that we would be inspecting the service the day before our arrival to ensure that someone would be in the office. This meant that the provider and staff knew we would be visiting before we arrived.

Angel Care Services is registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. People are supported with a variety of tasks including personal support, meal preparation, and supporting people to take their medicine.

At the time of our inspection, the service was providing support to four people who all lived in the Stretford and Urmston areas of Greater Manchester. The service was run from an office in Longsight, Manchester.

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. This service had not been previously inspected by the Care Quality Commission.

When we spoke with people who used the service they told us they felt secure with the care workers who provided their care and support. We saw that there were good systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff, and the care workers we spoke with were aware of their responsibilities in protecting people from harm, and knew how to report any concerns about people's safety or wellbeing.

People told us the staff responded to their needs and provided care in the way they wanted it to be provided. Having a small and dedicated staff team meant that people who used the service had the same group of staff for all visits which was important to them and made them feel safe. Staff told us that they had enough time with people to meet their assessed needs.

Care records identified risks to people, and care plans directed staff on how to minimise these risks. Where people required assistance with their medicines we saw that this was given safely by staff who had undertaken medicines competency training.

People received care and support from staff who had the skills and training to meet their needs. We saw from training records that new starters received a thorough induction and ongoing training was provided to ensure staff were able to carry out their duties. Staff told us that they were well managed and received good instruction, but we saw that formal supervision was not provided in line with the service’s stated policies, and there was no system in place to provide an annual appraisal of staff performance.

People who used the service had agreed to the delivery of their care, and signed to consent to this. They told us that staff always offered and respected their choices, but would be attentive to their needs, such as dietary requirements or medical needs.

The service had established good links with healthcare professionals and ensured that people who used the service maintained good access to healthcare.

Staff were kind and caring, and people who used the service told us that they were treated with dignity and respect. We saw that care was person- centred, and recognised the individuality, culture and values of the people being supported. Care plans were written in a way that ensured the person who used the service was central to the planning of care, and gave people who used the service the opportunity to say how they wanted their care to be provided. Well written daily notes reflected changes and issues which were picked up by the next member of staff on duty.

The people who used the service were complimentary about the care they received. One told us, “Angel Care is marvellous, the carers are excellent. There is lots I can’t do but the girls will do everything I ask”.

People told us that they were happy with their care, but knew how to complain if they wer