Altogether Care LLP-Yeovil Care at Home is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care and support to people living in their own homes. Not everyone using the service receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

At the time of the inspection 109 people were receiving the regulated activity ‘personal care’.

This inspection was announced and took place on 14 and 15 June 2018. The provider was given 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service to people in their own homes and we needed to be sure that someone would be at the office and able to assist us to arrange home visits. This was the first inspection since the provider registered the service in May 2017.

A registered manager was in post. 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 with the staff who provided their care and support. One relative told us, “I have no worries; it gives me great peace of mind to know they are caring for [the person].” There were processes and practices in place to keep people safe. The provider had a robust recruitment programme which meant all new staff were checked to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people. All staff had received training in safeguarding vulnerable people and children. All staff spoken to were able to tell us what they would look for and how they would report anything they thought put people at risk of harm or abuse.

People received effective care and support from staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. All staff attended an intensive three day induction which included all the companies’ mandatory training before they started to work with people. This was followed by training updates and any training that was considered necessary to ensure a person received suitable care for their specific needs. People received care from a small team of staff who they had been able to build relationships with.

People told us, and we saw, they were cared for by kind and caring staff some of whom went over and above what was expected of them. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity at all times. They told us they could express an opinion about the care provided and contributed to their care plans.

People received responsive care and support which was personalised to their individual needs and wishes. People’s care plans were written in a person centred way ensuring they reflected their needs and how they liked their care to be provided. The registered manager confirmed that they would only take people if they felt they could meet their needs. People were supported to access health care services and see healthcare professionals when necessary. People told us staff were aware of their needs and if they changed they would contact the relevant person to help them, such as the GP or district nurse.

People were supported by a team that was well led. Everybody spoken to said they thought the service was well led. Staff and people receiving a service said the registered manager was open and approachable. One person told us how they thought the registered manager working care shifts was good as they got to meet them.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service, ensure staff kept up to date with good practice and to seek people’s views. Records showed the service responded to concerns and complaints and learnt from the issues raised. The provider sought people's views and opinions through regular telephone monitoring and an annua