About the service: Suite 1 is registered as a domiciliary care agency providing the regulated activity 'personal care' to the people who live in their own homes. At the time of our inspection, the service was providing personal care to 110 people.

People’s experience of using this service: The management of medicines was safe, but minor issues were noted with some medications records. Staff had completed training in the safe management of medicines. People told us they felt safe and staff knew how to respond to possible harm. Risks to people were assessed and records contained guidance for staff to follow. Staff followed infection prevention and control guidance when supporting people in their own homes.

There were enough skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. An induction was completed by all staff. Staff received appropriate training and support to enable them to perform their roles effectively. Robust recruitment processes were in place and followed.

Staff involved healthcare professionals to ensure people's health care needs were met. People received support with eating and drinking, when required. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People and relatives said staff were reliable, kind and caring. The staff described how individual people preferred their care and support delivered and the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. People's care plans were personalised, with sufficient detail for staff to provide effective care. Staff had received training in end of life care.

People and relatives had the opportunity to provide feedback on the service received. Information was provided so people knew who to speak with if they had concerns. There was a system in place to respond to any complaints. Systems were in place to monitor the quality of service and action was taken where areas for improvement were found.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated Good. (published 9 February 2016). The overall rating has remained the same.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection to check/confirm that this service remained Good.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through information we receive. Further inspections will be planned for future dates as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection took place on 18 December 2015 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of our intention to undertake the inspection. This was because the service provides domiciliary care to people in their own homes and we needed to make sure someone would be available at the office.

Bewdley Care Ltd provides personal care for people in their own home. On the day of our inspection there were 135 people receiving services for which CQC registration was required.

A registered manager was in post at the time and was present at the time of our inspection.

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 were protected from the risk of potential abuse and felt safe with the staff that cared for them. Individual risks were assessed, agreed with people and written plans put in place for staff to follow in order to keep people safe. There were enough staff employed to care for people, so staff had enough time to spend with the person they were caring for. Staff supported people in the administration of their medicines and, checks were performed to ensure no mistakes were made.

Staff had the skills and knowledge to care for people effectively. Staff received regular training based on the needs of people using the service.

Staff knew people well and understood their histories and preferences so they were able to ensure they delivered the care and support that met individual’s needs. People were involved in making decisions about their care, through involvement in assessments, care planning and care reviews. Staff supported people to make healthy choices about what they ate and drank, so maintaining good health. Staff knew the details of people’s specific dietary requirements in order to keep them safe and well.

People’s consent was appropriately obtained by staff when caring for them. If people’s ability to make decisions changed, senior staff involved people’s relatives and other professionals, so that care would continue to be delivered in the best way

Staff had small geographical areas to cover which helped staff build relationships with the people they cared for. People felt staff were very caring. Staff supported people to maintain their dignity and people were confident that staff respected their right to confidentiality.

The registered manager, provider and staff regularly sought feedback about the service they provided from people who used the service and their relatives. Regular checks and audits were in place to monitor the quality of the service.