This comprehensive inspection took place on 25 September 2018 and was announced. The provider was given short notice of our inspection in line with our current methodology for inspecting domiciliary care services. The provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in September 2017. This was their first inspection.

Olive Tree (Kirklees) Limited is a domiciliary care agency. The service provides personal care to people living in their own homes in the community.

Olive Tree (Kirklees) Limited has a registered office which is situated in the Batley area. At the time of our inspection the registered provider was providing a service to 15 people.

At the time of our inspection the service had a 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 registered provider had a safe recruitment system to ensure suitable staff were selected to support vulnerable people. However, records we saw did not always contain a full employment history.

It was not clear what training staff had received to give them the knowledge to carry out their role. Staff support networks such as supervision, appraisals and team meetings needed to be developed and embedded into practice.

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. Safeguarding training was completed as part of the induction package. Concerns were reported when required and appropriate actions had been taken.

Risks associated with people’s care and support were identified and action was taken to ensure people were as safe as they could be.

People who required support to take their prescribed medicines, were assisted and documents were maintained to evidence this.

The registered provider had policies and procedures in place to ensure there were no discrimination and to ensure the protected characteristics of the Equality Act were considered when making support decisions.

Where people required support to eat and drink this was offered. People received support from healthcare professionals as required.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s likes and dislikes were included as part of their care records and staff we spoke with knew people well.

We looked at care records and found they reflected the support package the care workers were delivering. Care records were person centred and included information about how people liked to be supported and this was respected.

The registered provider had a complaints procedure which was included in people's care records folder, which was kept in their home.

The registered provider had systems in place to ensure the service was monitored. However, these systems required embedding into practice.

People who used the service had opportunities to voice their opinion of the service and offer constructive feedback. This was used to develop the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.