This inspection was announced and took place on 16 January 2018. We gave the provider 48 hours' notice because we wanted to be sure someone would be available to speak with us. This was a comprehensive inspection. This was the first inspection for this service.

Genesis International Solutions provides domiciliary care services for four people. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Relatives told us people were kept safe and free from harm. There were appropriate numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service. Staff knew the people they supported and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and families were involved in making decisions about their care.

Staff received regular training in topics the provider considered mandatory and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities.

There were suitable recruitment procedures and required employment checks were undertaken before staff began to work for the service. Staffing levels and skill mix were planned, implemented and reviewed to keep people safe at all times. Any staff shortages were responded to quickly and appropriately.

The staff understood their role in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People told us staff gave them choices and respected their decisions.

People were prompted by staff to take their medicines safely. The manager completed regular checks to ensure medicines were safe. People managed their own meals, however staff had information in care plans about peoples eating and drinking requirements, to ensure people’s nutrition and hydration needs were met.

Assessments were undertaken to assess any risks to the person using the service and to the staff supporting them. This included environmental risks and any risks due to the health and support needs of the person. The risk assessments we read included information about action to be taken to minimise the chance of harm occurring.

Staff told us the provider and manager were accessible and approachable. Staff felt able to speak with them and provided feedback on the service during staff briefings.

The registered manager and the provider undertook regular audits and spot checks to review the quality of the service provided.