This inspection took place on 8 and 9 August 2018 and was announced.

PCAS Kent ltd is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses in the community and provides care and support to people living in 'supported living' settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support. This was the service first inspection since they registered with CQC in August 2017.

Not everyone using PCAS Kent Ltd receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection, the service was supporting eight people with their personal care needs. This included older people, younger adults and people with complex health needs such as epilepsy, dementia and mental health. People who use the service live in Gravesend, Isle of Sheppey, Maidstone and the surrounding areas.

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 manager, who was also the provider and director was supported in their role by a director, finance manager, office administrator and a team of four supported living managers. The provider was also actively recruiting for a service manager, who would have the responsibility for the day to day management of the service.

People were at the heart of the service. Staff demonstrated thorough understanding of each person's individual needs and preferences and used this knowledge to provide them with flexible, responsive support which enhanced the quality of their lives.

People, their relatives, health and social care representatives consistently told us staff were very caring and always treated people with great respect and empathy. People told us staff knew how to meet their needs, were kind, always respectful and well trained. Staff were empowered to work creatively and to develop positive relationships with people. Staff were proud of the support that they provided to people and the positive outcomes that they had observed.

People were safe using the service. People told us they felt safe and comfortable when staff were in their home and when they received care. Recruitment practices ensured the right staff were recruited to support people to stay safe. Staff told us they were happy in their jobs and had access to training. They said they felt well supported and had regular opportunities to discuss their work. The rotas reflected the support people required to maintain the choices they had made, and as a result the staffing arrangements were flexible to meet those needs. A number of people received care from staff on a one to one basis and records showed that people received their care in the way they needed to maintain their safety.

People were supported safely with their medicines and told us they were happy with the support they received. Staff completed medicines administration records (MAR) after giving people their medicines. MAR sheets were audited to ensure people had received their medicines as prescribed.

Support plans and risk assessments were developed from the initial assessment information. Support plans were comprehensive, individualised and developed with each person. They described the support the person needed to manage their day to day health needs. Risks to people were identified and guidance and control measures