This was an announced inspection which took place on 13th and 15th December 2017. The inspection was announced to ensure that the registered manager or another responsible person would be available to assist with the inspection visit. This was the first inspection of this service at this address although the service had previously been inspected at a different address.

Abacus Care is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide personal care and support to people living in their own home. At the time of our inspection 90 people were using the service and being supported in meeting their care needs.

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.

People who used the service and their relatives had a very positive view of the service. People we spoke with told us they felt safe and could trust the care staff to look after them. Comments we received included; "I feel very, very safe. The girls that come round here can be trusted." Others told us; "“[My relative] is very much well looked after, they’re very good indeed.” and "They are respectful to me all the time. I dreaded needing care but it’s a treat when they come round.”

Care workers were aware of their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and knew what to do if they had any concerns to help ensure people were kept safe. People who used the service and their relatives said they felt safe and well looked after.

We found the management and administration of people's medicines were safe. Recent improvements had been made to help reduce the risk of any medication errors and to help ensure people received their medication as prescribed.

Appropriate checks were made on applicants ensuring only those people suitable to work with vulnerable adults were employed. In addition to staff volunteering for extra hours, appropriately trained office staff provided back up when care workers went off sick to ensure there were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people's needs.

Care workers were kept up to date with infection control techniques and provided with appropriate protective equipment to help minimise the risk of cross infection.

Regular care worker meetings were held where incidents and issues were discussed to share good practice and identify where improvements to the service could be made.

People told us they felt involved in planning their care and support and that their choices and preferences were respected. Care plans were written by trained staff ensuring that the person's emotional and cultural needs were taken into account when the plans were being developed.

Care workers told us they felt supported by the service both through formal supervisions and the open-door policy of the service. Staff said they felt comfortable raising any concerns they had with the management and were confident that appropriate action would be taken.

People's food and nutrition needs were assessed when they first received care and were kept under regular review. People who need support to eat are drink were referred to Dieticians and Speech and Language Therapists and had clear care and support plans in place including additional charts to record what food and drink they had to ensure their nutritional and hydration needs were being met.

The service has good relationships with the local authority and other supporting agencies like Age UK ensuring that people can be referred to other appropriate professional services if they have needs that cannot be met by Abacus. An employee of the local authority told us; "The provider is generally proactive in raising concerns or issues regarding care delivery or where there has been an issue