This was an announced inspection carried out on the 16 August 2016. This was the first inspection of the service since they became a newly registered service, due to a change of address in August 2014.

Avanta Care provides services to meet the needs of individuals who live in their own homes and need support or care to assist and support them in maintaining or improving their independence.

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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The majority of people who used the service told us they were happy with the support they received from the service and were treated well. They told us they felt safe with the staff and the care they were provided with.

Most people we spoke with told us the service was reliable, visits were never missed and staff were rarely late. All the staff and the registered manager demonstrated a commitment to providing good quality person centred care.

Staff had received training in safeguarding adults. They were able to tell us of the action they would take to protect people who used the service from the risk of abuse. We found there were systems in place to protect people from the risk of harm and appropriate recruitment procedures were in place.

Staff received training in administration of medicines and systems in place ensured people received their medicines safely. However, we recommended some improvements were made to the records of medication administration to ensure instructions for medications were always clear.

Where needed people who used the service received support from staff to ensure their nutritional and health needs were met.

There were policies and procedures in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and staff showed they understood how to ensure their practice was in line with the MCA.

Care and support was provided by appropriately trained staff. Staff received support and supervision to help them understand how to deliver good care.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of service provision and we found there were appropriate systems in place for the management of complaints. People we spoke with told us the service was well managed and well organised.