Domus extra care is a care agency that provides a live in care service, including personal care, to adults living in their own homes. Care is provided on a long or short term basis depending on individual’s needs. The service covers Kent and Sussex. There were 13 people using the service who were receiving personal care at the time of the inspection. Domus extra care is part of Domus live in care, which is also owned by the registered provider and operated from the same office.

This inspection was carried out on 19 May 2017. We gave the service short notice of the inspection because it is small and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff or visiting people that use the service. We needed to be sure that they would be in.

There was a manager in post who was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 were protected from abuse and harm by staff that knew how to recognise the signs of abuse and report any concerns. Risks to individuals’ wellbeing and safety had been assessed and minimised. Staff knew how to reduce the risk of spreading infection when providing care.

People had their health needs met and were supported to access health care professionals as needed. They were provided with support to eat and drink well to meet their needs. People’s medicines were managed safely.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. People were provided with staff that knew them well and worked with them regularly. Staff were provided with the training and qualifications they needed to care for people safely and effectively. Staff were appropriately supervised and supported in their roles.

People were asked for their consent before care was provided. The registered provider complied with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, but one assessment of a person’s capacity had not been properly recorded. We have made a recommendation about this.

Staff were kind and caring and had developed positive relationships with the people they supported and their families. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and promoted their right to privacy. People were enabled to remain as independent as possible.

People were provided with personalised and flexible care. They were asked their views about how their care should be provided and these were included in their care plan. People’s views about the quality of the service were sought and suggestions were acted upon. People knew how make a complaint if they needed to and complaints were handled in a transparent and honest way.

The registered manager provided effective leadership and was aware of the risks and areas for development within the service. Effective quality assurance systems were used to identify shortfalls and action was taken to address these.