Community Spirited provides domiciliary care services to people living at home. They currently provide personal care to 14 people. Each person received a variety of care hours from the service, depending on their level of need.

The inspection was conducted between 1 and 6 June 2017 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of our inspection as it was a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure key staff members would be available.

The service was run by the registered provider, who also acted as the manager. 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.

Legislation designed to protect people’s rights was not always followed when people’s care was being planned, although care staff did seek verbal consent from people before providing care and acted in the best interests of people.

People felt safe and trusted the staff who supported them. Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities and knew how to prevent, identify and report abuse. Staff recruitment practices were robust and helped ensure only suitable staff were employed. There were enough staff to support people; they were reliable and arrived on time.

Risks relating to the environment or the health and support needs of people were managed effectively and respected people’s independence. Medicines were given safely by staff who were trained and competent.

Staff were knowledgeable and skilled, although one experienced staff member had not completed the service’s induction programme. They were also supported appropriately in their work by managers.

Most people’s meals were prepared by family members, but staff encouraged people to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and took action when people were at risk of weight loss. Staff monitored people’s health and supported them to access healthcare services when needed.

Staff were kind, caring and compassionate. People spoke positively about the relationships they had built with staff, which they valued and appreciated.

Staff were discreet and unobtrusive when working in people’s homes; they protected people’s privacy and involved them in decisions about their care.

The provider was committed to providing high quality care that put people at the heart of the service. People consistently told us they received highly personalised care and support that met their individual needs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. The provider sought and acted on feedback from people to improve the service. There was a suitable complaints policy in place but nobody had had cause to complain.

People told us the service was well-led and said they would recommend it to others. Staff were motivated and enjoyed working at the service. They took pride in making a positive impact on people’s lives.

There was a quality assurance process in place that focused on people’s experiences to continually improve the service.

There was an open culture and links had been developed with community groups to the benefit of people.