This announced inspection took place on the 1, 2, 6 and 7 February 2018. Honeydew Healthcare Limited is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to both adults and children with a variety of complex needs, including people living with dementia, physical and sensory difficulties and autism. At the time of our inspection, the service was supporting four people.

The provider was also the registered manager. 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. The provider was on a leave of absence at the time of the inspection and the service was being managed by the deputy manager and care co-ordinator; the provider was available via telephone.

People received care from staff that knew them and who were friendly, kind, caring; and passionate about providing the care and support people needed and wanted to enable them to stay in their own homes.

Staff had the skills and knowledge to provide the care and support people needed and were supported by a provider who was visible and approachable, receptive to ideas and committed to providing a high standard of care.

People’s needs were assessed prior to coming to the service and person-centred care plans were in place and were kept under review. Risks to people had been identified and measures put in place to mitigate any risk. Care records contained detailed information to assist staff to provide care and support in an individualised manner that respected each person's individual requirements and promoted treating people with dignity.

Staffing levels ensured that people received the support they required safely and at the times they needed. The recruitment practice protected people from being cared for by staff that were unsuitable to work in their home.

Staff understood the need to protect people from harm and knew what action they should take if they had any concerns. Relatives told us that they felt their loved one was cared for safely in their own home. Staff understood their role in caring for people with limited or no capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The provider was closely involved in the day-to-day running of the service and continually monitored the quality of the service provided. Staff and relatives were confident that issues would be addressed and that any concerns they had would be listened to and acted on.