This inspection was announced and took place on 19 December 2016. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we wanted to make sure the registered manager was available.

Affinity Trust Domiciliary Care Agency provides personal care for people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection, there were 15 people receiving care from the service, which included 14 younger adults and one older adult. Most people receiving the regulated activity of personal care were living with others across six houses providing supported living accommodation. Personal care was provided to people with a range of learning and physical disabilities, one older person and one person living with a mental health condition. There was a registered manager for the service at the time of this inspection. This is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission. They are responsible for the day to day management of the regulated activity of personal care at the service. Like providers, as a registered person they have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is managed and run.

People were safely supported when they received care and their medicines were safely managed. People’s safety needs associated with their health conditions and environment were assessed before they received care and regularly reviewed. Staff usually understood and followed the care steps required to reduce any known risks to people’s safety from this. Further staffing, care planning and management measures that were recently introduced helped to further ensure this.

People were protected from harm or abuse. Staff were safely recruited and deployed; they knew how to recognise, prevent and respond to a person’s likely, suspected or actual harm or abuse. Arrangements to review recognised behavioural care interventions from revised national guidance were planned to helped to further inform and ensure people’s safety in care.

People received individualised care from staff who supported them to maintain and improve their health. Staff understood and followed people’s often complex, personal care needs associated with their health conditions. Recent care planning and staffing improvements helped to fully ensure this.

Staff were trained, supported and supervised to provide people’s personal care associated with their health needs and daily living plans. People were provided with personal care in line with legislation and guidance in relation to consent. Staff sought people’s consent or appropriate authorisation for their care when required. This was done in a way that helped to ensure people’s rights and best interests.

Staff were kind, caring and treated people well. Staff knew what was important to people for their care; they knew people well and supported their rights, choices and independence in their care. Information about the service was provided in accessible formats, which helped to inform people’s care expectations. The provider’s staff recruitment and care planning arrangements helped to ensure people’s control and involvement in their care.

People’s care was individualised, timely and took account of their known wishes, lifestyle preferences, independence and communication needs. People were supported to engage in social, recreational and lifestyle activities they enjoyed and were meaningful to them.

The provider regularly sought to obtain people's views about the care provided as well as those of their relatives and external stakeholder’s. The findings from this were used to inform and make care and service improvements when required.

There were clear arrangements in place for the management and day to day running of the service. The service was well managed and run by a manager who was open, accessible and supportive. Staff were informed, supported and understood their role and responsibilities fo