This service is a domiciliary care agency in Salford. It provides personal care to older people living in their own home. At the time of inspection the service provided a regulated activity to 611 people living in the Salford area.

At the last inspection on the 04 and 05 August 2015 the service was rated as good. At this inspection we found the service remained good.

The service had a newly appointed 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.

People told us they felt safe in their own homes whilst being supported by staff employed at Premier care. Staff received safeguarding training and knew how to keep people safe and raise concerns if they suspected someone was at risk of harm or abuse.

Individualised risk assessments were in place to identify any assessed possible risk of harm to a person or staff member through areas such as people’s lifestyle choices or items of equipment.

Staffing levels were appropriate and people told us they received calls as agreed with the local authority.

The service had a training matrix to monitor the training requirements of staff. Staff received appropriate training, supervision and appraisal to support them in their role. Appropriate documentation was maintained to confirm when these sessions had taken place.

The management of medicines was safe. Staff received training in medicines administration and the service had detailed policies to guide staff how to ensure a person received safe support in this area.

People were supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

People's consent to care and treatment was sought prior to care being delivered and they were encouraged to make decisions and choices about their care and had their choices respected.

Care plans were tailored to meet people's individual needs. People were encouraged to be involved in the development of their care plans, which were updated regularly to reflect people's changing needs.

People were encouraged to maintain a nutritionally balanced diet and had access to sufficient amounts to eat and drink, at times that suited them.

People's health care needs were monitored and relevant health and social care professionals were informed when required.

The provider had a complaints procedure in place and we saw examples of people’s complaints being dealt with in line with the services complaints policy.

The registered manager and provider carried out regular audits of the service delivery. We saw areas of improvement were identified and disseminated promptly throughout the staff team to demonstrate action had been taken in a timely manner. Feedback of the service was sought and used to drive continued improvements.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

We looked at a sample of five people's care plans. We saw that they were signed by the person which demonstrated their involvement in developing the plan. Care plans were detailed and gave enough information about the person's care needs and what support they needed from care staff.

We looked at how the provider promoted infection prevention and control. We spoke with staff about personal protective equipment (PPE) and they confirmed they always had access to plastic gloves and aprons. We looked at whether staff had received training in relation to infection control. We saw that training was provided and updated annually.

We looked at how the management supported care staff. We saw that staff meetings were held and minutes kept. Regular staff supervisions were taking place and unannounced spot check visits to people's homes were carried out. We saw that training in safe working practices was provided such as: manual handling, basic food hygiene, basic life support and health and safety.

We looked at how the provider monitored the quality of the service they provided. We saw that regular audits of systems were taking place. The agency sought feedback from people who used the service in the form of questionnaires and during the spot checks visits.

We asked people using the service what they thought about the care they received. People described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. Comments included: “They all treat me with respect.” “They always ask what I want and at the beginning I was asked about what I do and do not like.” “They respect my home.” “X had an assessment and they asked questions about what type of things ‘x’ liked and what we needed.” “They don’t always arrive on time.” “I have a care plan and they write in it each time they come here.” “I tell you they are terrific.” “They stay for the amount of time they are supposed to.” “I only have to ask and they do anything for me.”

This was an announced inspection carried out on the 04 and 05 August 2015.

Premier Care Limited - Salford Homecare Branch is registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. The agency provides a service to people living in the Salford area.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

At the last inspection carried out in July 2013, we did not identify any concerns with the care and support provided to people by the service.

People who used the service and relatives we spoke with, told us they or their loved ones felt safe when care staff were in their homes and that their possessions were safe. People told us they trusted the care staff who visited their homes.

We found the service had suitable safeguarding procedures in place, which were designed to protect vulnerable people from abuse and the risk of abuse. All staff we spoke to were able to describe the different types of abuse and the action they would take if they had any concerns.

We found the service had robust recruitment procedures in place, which protected people against the risks of abuse. We reviewed a sample of ten recruitment records, which demonstrated that staff had been safely and effectively recruited.

We looked at how the service managed people’s medicines and found that suitable arrangements were in place to ensure the service administered medicines safely. People we spoke with who needed help with their medications told us that they thought their medications were administered or supervised appropriately and at the correct times.

We looked at how the service ensured there were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. On the whole, people we spoke with told us care staff usually stayed the allotted time for their call.

People who used the service and their relatives told us they thought there were enough staff to meet their care needs and that the care workers were well trained and good at their jobs.

We looked at the service’s organisational training and workforce development plan, which emphasised the services commitment to training and continual professional development of staff. We found all new members of staff underwent a comprehensive 12 week induction programme. We found that training requirements for each member of staff was effectively managed by way of an electronic training matrix.

We looked at supervision and annual appraisal records and spoke to staff about the supervision they received from senior care staff and managers. We found that staff received regular supervision, which enabled managers to assess the development needs of their staff and to address training and personal needs in a timely manner.

We looked at how the service supported people with their diet. Care plans detailed guidance on the support each person required in respect of food, drink and nutrition. Some people we spoke with told us they had help from care workers with shopping and that they received food they enjoyed, because the care workers knew what they liked.

People who used the service and relatives we spoke with were very complimentary about the care staff and their caring attitude, particularly their regular care workers. One person who used the service told us; “They are always happy to do anything for you, they are very good.”

Other comments from people who used the service included; “I feel very fortunate to have such good carers.” “They’re ever so kind. Such lovely people.” “My care worker is an absolute diamond. I couldn’t do without her.” “I’ve not met one that isn’t kind and patient with me.” “They’re all fabulous and so friendly. You can have a laugh with most of them and that’s great.”

People who used the service told us they were treated with respect and their dignity was upheld. One person said service said “The carers are very friendly and chatty, but they’re very polite too. They do show you respect.”

People told us that staff helped them retain their independence and only provided support with tasks that were agreed. One person who used the service said “I can do a lot of things for myself, so I don’t need help with everything. The carers just help me with the things I can’t do, like getting my stockings on and off.”

A number of people who used the service or their relatives told us that calls were occasionally late or not at the agreed times and were either late or early. Weekend arrangements were highlighted as a particular concern. Comments from people who used the service included; “It’s a problem when my morning call is late because I need help getting to the toilet and that can’t wait.”

The service used a call monitoring system called Road Runner. All care staff were provided with a smart phone, which enabled them to scan an installed bar-code when they arrived at a property and scan the code when they left the property.

We looked at a sample of 15 care files to understand how the service delivered personalised care that was responsive to people’s needs. Before people started using the service, an assessment of need was carried out by the service. This involved the person who used the service, their family and other social health care professionals.

People who had contacted the office told us that they were listened to and that staff were generally helpful and assisted them with their queries. Some people who used the service or their relatives we spoke with could name people they liaised with in the office, including people who came to their homes to do spot checks or review their needs.

We found that the management promoted an open and transparent culture amongst staff. Staff felt valued and supported in their role. Staff told us that the service was well run and that people could be open and honest.

We found that regular reviews of care plans and risk assessments were undertaken. Regular supervision of staff and appraisals were undertaken by the service. We found the service undertook a comprehensive range of checks to monitor the quality service delivery, these include medication audits and ‘spot checks.’

We found the service had been accredited with Investors in People recognition. Investors in People is a management framework for high performance through people.