The inspection visit at Unique Homecare Services Limited was carried out on 22 November 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 24 hours’ notice because the service delivered domiciliary care to people who lived in their own homes. We needed to be sure people in the office and people the service supported would be available to speak to us.

Unique Homecare Services Limited is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care support to people living with dementia. It supports people with companionship, reablement, respite and end of life care, all whom live in their own homes. The agency is situated in Bolton-Le-Sands near Carnforth. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people receiving a service from Unique Homecare Services Limited.

Unique Homecare Services Limited registered as a domiciliary care agency with the Care Quality Commission in November 2016. We had not previously inspected the service.

The service had 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.

During this inspection, we found staff had received training to safeguard people from abuse. They understood their responsibilities to report any unsafe care or abusive practices related to the safeguarding of adults who may be vulnerable. Staff we spoke with told us they were aware of the safeguarding procedure. One staff member told us, “One of my priorities is making sure people are safe. I want to know I've done everything I can do and I’ve delivered care that’s safe.”

There was an appropriate skill mix of staff to ensure the needs of people who used the service were met. New staff worked alongside experienced staff members whilst they learnt their role. One relative told us, “They [care staff] know what they’re doing, use their common sense and initiative, and do things off their own back.”

The registered provider planned visits to allow carers enough time to reach people and complete all tasks safely. One person’s friend told us, “Ten out of ten for punctuality.”

Care plans were organised and had identified the care and support people required. We found they were personalised and informative about the care people received. They had been kept under review and updated when necessary. They reflected any risks and people’s changing needs.

Staff responsible for assisting people with their medicines had received training to ensure they were competent and had the skills required. The registered provider completed spot checks on staff to observe their work practices were appropriate and people were safe.

Staff were provided with personal protective equipment to protect people and themselves from the spread of infection.

The registered provider had put in place procedures around recruitment and selection to minimise the risk of unsuitable employees working with people who may be vulnerable. Required checks had been completed before any staff started work at the service. This was confirmed during discussions with staff.

The registered provider had regularly completed a range of audits to maintain people’s safety and welfare.

Staff members received training related to their role and were knowledgeable about their responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their personal care and emotional support needs.

Staff told us they received regular formal and informal support from the management team. A staff member said, “I have regular supervision but also have contact with the office and can drop in anytime.”

People and their representatives told us they were involved in their care and had discussed and consented to their care packages. We found staff had an understanding of th