This announced inspection was carried out between 5 and 14 July 2017. The service provides domiciliary care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection, six people were being supported with their personal care by the service.

The service had a registered manager, who was also the provider. 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.

Although the provider completed regular audits, they did not have robust systems to drive continual and sustained improvements. The provider worked closely with people, their relatives and staff to ensure that the service provided appropriately met people’s needs. They also promoted a caring and inclusive culture within the service.

People were safe because the provider had effective systems to keep them safe, and staff had been trained on how to safeguard people. There were risk assessments in place so that staff knew how to support people safely. People had been supported safely to take their medicines. The provider had effective staff recruitment processes in place and there was sufficient numbers of staff to support people safely.

Staff received training, support and supervision that enabled them to provide appropriate care to people who used the service. People were able to provide verbal consent to their care and support, and the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were being met. Where required, people had been appropriately supported to have enough to eat and drink, and to access health services.

Staff were kind and caring towards people they supported. They treated people with respect and supported them to maintain their independence as much as possible. People were happy with how their care was being provided, and they valued the support they received from staff and the registered manager.

People’s needs had been assessed before they were supported by the service. Care plans took account of their individual needs, choices, and information received during assessments. Staff were responsive to people’s needs and were working closely with people’s relatives to ensure that the support they provided was appropriate. The provider had a system to manage people’s complaints and concerns, and there had been no concerns raised about the quality of the service.

The inspection was announced and took place on 14 and 19 May 2015.

Kitec Healthcare Services provides personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection 15 people were receiving support from the service.

The service has 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 were kept safe from avoidable harm and abuse and were looked after by staff who had been provided with safeguarding training.

There were risk management plans in place to protect and promote people’s safety.

There were sufficient numbers of staff available to keep people safe and to meet their assessed needs. Safe recruitment practices were being followed.

There was a system in place to ensure that people received their medicines at the appropriate times by staff; however, Medication Administration Record (MAR) sheets were not maintained in line with best practice guidelines.

Staff had been provided with the appropriate training to carry out their roles and responsibilities and to support people.

People’s consent to their care and support was sought in line with current guidance.

There were systems in place to support people to eat and drink and to access healthcare services if required.

Positive relationships had been developed between people and staff.

People were able to make decisions about their care and support needs and staff ensured their privacy and dignity were respected and promoted.

People received care that was appropriate to meet their assessed needs. Information on how to raise complaints or concerns was available to them.

There was a culture at the service which demonstrated openness and good leadership skills.

There was a process in place for monitoring staff practice and people’s daily reports and medicine sheets, which was used to good effect.