The inspection took place on 02 November 2016 and the visit was announced.

This was the first inspection for the service following the transfer of the business to Affinity Homecare (Cheshire) Ltd.

Affinity Homecare Cheshire is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes around the Wilmslow area. The Care Quality Commission has inspected this service in relation to 49 people assessed as needing personal care. Other services are available from the agency including shopping and housekeeping which are not regulated by CQC.

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 risk of abuse was minimised as clear policies and procedures were in place to provide staff with information on how to protect people in the event of an allegation or suspicion of abuse.

Thorough recruitment processes were in place to help check the suitability of staff working with vulnerable adults.

Staff received training so that they administered medicines safely.

Care records were personalised to inform staff and other professionals how to best support the individuals they cared for.

Staff received suitable induction and training to meet people’s needs. Staff were supported by the manager. This meant people were being cared for by suitably qualified, supported and trained staff.

There were systems and processes in place to monitor the quality of the service. Audits were carried out and where shortfalls were identified the management was using the information to improve the service.