This inspection took place on the 12 October 2017 and was announced. At the previous inspection of this service in July 2016 we found two breaches of regulations. This was because the service did not have effective staff recruitment processes in place and they had failed to notify the Care Quality Commission [CQC] of allegations of abuse. During this inspection we found these issues had been addressed.

The service is registered with CQC to provide support with personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection 19 people were using the service. The service had a registered manager in place. 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.

There were enough staff working at the service to meet people’s needs and robust staff recruitment procedures were in place. Appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place. Risk assessments provided information about how to support people in a safe manner. Medicines were managed in a safe way.

Staff received on-going training to support them in their role. People were able to make choices for themselves and the service operated within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People told us they were able to make choices about what they ate. People were supported to access relevant health care professionals.

People told us they were treated with respect and that staff were caring. Staff had a good understanding of how to promote people’s privacy, independence and dignity.

Care plans were in place which set out how to meet people’s individual needs. Care plans were subject to regular review. The service had a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to make a complaint.

Staff and people spoke positively about the senior staff at the service. Quality assurance and monitoring systems were in place which included seeking the views of people who used the service.

We have made two recommendations in this report because records were not always maintained of staff supervisions and team meetings and some people had concerns about staff punctuality.

This inspection took place on 13 July 2016 and was announced. We told the registered manager two days before our visit that we would be coming. This was to ensure that members of the management team were available to talk to. This is the first inspection since the service was registered with us in 2015.

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.

Home Sweet Home Care Limited provides support with personal care to adults living in their own homes. At the time of our visit they were providing personal care to 38 people and had 24 staff working for them. The service has recently moved location and is presently going through the process of registering their new address with us.

People told us they felt safe using the service. However the provider needed to improve on their staff recruitment process to ensure new staff were suitable before they began working.

Staff were trained in how to protect people from abuse and harm. They were knowledgeable regarding safeguarding and knew how to raise concerns when necessary. We found the registered manager had informed the local safeguarding team of incidents that affected people’s safety and wellbeing however we were not notified as required by law.

Risk assessments were individualised and centred on the needs of people and there was guidance for staff to follow to reduce identified risks. Risk assessments had also been completed to ensure the environment staff were working in was safe.

Staff were trained in a number of areas and knew the needs of the people they were supporting well. They had regular meetings either formally or informally with their line manager to ensure they were supporting people based on their needs. We have made a recommendation about keeping a written record of staff supervision.

People’s medicines were managed safely and staff were trained to administer them as they were prescribed.

Care plans were detailed, specific to the person and reflected people’s choices and preferences. They were reviewed and updated when people needs changed to make sure people received the care and support they needed. This was done with the participation of people or their representatives. Staff understood how to meet people needs.

Staff sought and obtained people’s consent before they provided them with support. They were knowledgeable in the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the requirements of the legislation.

People were supported to maintain good health and were referred to health care professionals when needed.

People’s nutritional needs were met. Staff prepared their meals based on their individual preferences and choices.

People said the staff were kind and caring in their approach and their privacy and dignity was maintained. They were happy with the way staff supported them. Staff encouraged people to do as much as possible for themselves to promote their independence.

People were confident they could raise any concerns or complaints with the registered manager and these would be addressed.

There were quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. The registered manager sought people’s views and acted upon them.