About the service: Catherine Care is a domiciliary care service registered to provide personal care to people who have dementia, learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, older people, physical disability, sensory impairment and younger adults. It provides personal care to people living in their own properties and specialist housing.

Not everyone using the service received 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. At the time of this inspection nine people were receiving assistance with their personal care needs.

The service provides care and support to people living in three ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

People’s experience of using this service:

Although the registered manager was committed to improving people’s care, systems to provide oversight and to monitor and improve the quality of care people received needed strengthening.

We have made a recommendation about documenting when assessing people’s capacity.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities in keeping people safe. Recruitment processes meant that safe were recruited safely. There was enough staff to meet people’s needs. People received their medicines. People were protected from cross infection as suitable measures were in place.

People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs and had access to healthcare professionals when needed. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) were being followed.

People receiving support said that staff were nice and kind. People had a choice about their care whilst being supported to remain independent.

There was a registered manager in post who was approachable and supportive. The provider worked in partnership with other agencies and sought feedback from people who used the service to make improvements.

Staff were provided with relevant training and supervision so they had the skills to support the people they worked with.

Rating at last inspection: This is the first time Catherine Care have been inspected since registration.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on when they registered with us.