This announced inspection took place on 19 July 2018. Aphek Homecare Services is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. It provides a service to older adults. At the time of the inspection two people were using the service. This was the first inspection of Aphek Homecare Services, since their registration in May 2017.

The service had 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.

People told us they felt safe with the staff. The service had clear procedures to recognise and respond to abuse. All staff had completed safeguarding training. Risk assessments for people were in place, which provided sufficient guidance for staff to minimise identified risks. The service had a system to manage accidents and incidents to reduce recurrences. People were protected from the risk of infection.

The service had enough staff to support people and satisfactory background checks were carried out for staff before they started working. The service had an on-call system to make sure staff had support outside office working hours. The service provided an induction and training, and supported staff through regular supervision and spot checks to help them undertake their role.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People consented to their care before it was delivered. The provider and staff understood their responsibilities within the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Staff supported people with food preparation. People’s relatives coordinated healthcare appointments to meet people’s needs, and staff were available to support people to access health care appointments if needed.

Staff supported people in a way which was caring, respectful, and protected their privacy and dignity. Staff developed people’s care plans that were tailored to meet their individual needs. Care plans were reviewed regularly and were up to date.

The service had a clear policy and procedure for managing complaints. People knew how to complain and would do so if necessary. The registered manager demonstrated an understanding of the requirements of the role and their responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. The provider had systems and processes to assess and monitor the quality of the care people received. The service sought the views of people who used the services. Staff felt supported by the provider. The provider had procedures in place to work in partnership with health and social care professionals.