This inspection took place on 30 November 2016 and was announced. This was the first time the service was inspected at this location since it was registered in December 2015. The registered provider had previously supported some people who used the service from another location called Southside Business Centre. At its last inspection in August 2014 this service was complaint with all the regulations we looked at.

Birmingham and Solihull Domiciliary Care provides personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 34 people. Many of the people who used the service had learning disabilities and a significant number were older people from the local Chinese community.

There was a registered manager in place who was present during 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 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People told us that they felt safe. Staff would make additional calls or stay longer with people if they required additional support. Staff knew how to report allegations or suspicions of poor practice.

People who needed prompting with their medicines were supported appropriately. Staff knew how to dispense medicines safely and there was regular training to make sure this was done properly.

People were supported by staff who had the appropriate skills and knowledge they needed to meet their care needs. Staff knew and respected people’s cultural needs and heritage.

People received care in line with their care plans. People were supported to eat and drink enough to stay well and staff assisted people to eat foods they enjoyed. The registered manager sought and took advice from relevant health professionals when necessary.

People were supported by regular staff with whom they had developed meaningful relationships. People said staff treated them with dignity and respect and promoted their independence.

Staff were knowledgeable about people’s preferences and provided care in line with their wishes. People were involved in deciding how they wanted their care to be delivered in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The registered manger took effective action when people’s conditions changed to ensure they continued to receive the appropriate support. People had access to a complaints system and the registered manager responded appropriately to concerns.

People who used the service and staff expressed confidence in the leadership of the senior team. The registered manager had a clear vision of the service which they shared with staff and they understood their responsibilities to the Commission.

The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care and operated a robust system to ensure people received their calls on time.