We undertook an announced inspection of Kindness Care Services Ltd on 23 November 2016.

We told the provider three working days before our visit that we would be coming because the location provided a domiciliary care service for people in their own homes and we needed to be sure that someone would be available.

This was Kindness Care Services Ltd first inspection at this location since registering in September 2015. At the time of the inspection five people were using the service. The service mainly offered support to older people who had a range of health and personal care needs, including people living with dementia.

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.

People using the service, their relatives and a health care professional gave us complimentary comments about the service they received.

People told us that the care workers were caring and communicated effectively with them and treated them with kindness and respect.

People told us they felt safe when they received support and the provider had policies and procedures in place to deal with any concerns that were raised about the care provided.

People were involved in developing care plans that reflected their needs and their preferences. Care workers were skilled in delivering their care in the way people preferred.

Risks to people's wellbeing were assessed and action taken to reduce these. The service focused on keeping people safe whilst promoting their independence.

The provider had processes in place for the recording and investigation of incidents and accidents.

People were supported to manage their medicines in a safe way. The registered manager confirmed they would ensure following the inspection that any issues with medicines would be addressed quickly.

People had consented to their care and treatment and were involved in decisions about their care.

People's healthcare needs were monitored and the registered manager liaised with other professionals to make sure these were met.

Recruitment checks were carried out on new care workers to ensure that they were suitable to work with people who used the service.

Care workers had received training on various subjects to ensure they were providing effective care for people using the service.

There was an appropriate complaints procedure in place and people using the service and their relatives were confident any complaints would be dealt with appropriately.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the care provided and these provided appropriate information to identify issues with the quality of the service and make improvements.