Corinium Care Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides live-in care and support to people in their own homes. The agency has been involved in these services for many years. At the time of the inspection the service was providing live-in personal care to more than 180 people. The agency was providing care to people in different locations throughout England. These services were managed by the agency from an office in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. One field service manager had recently been appointed to manage services for people in a small area in Kent where they lived. There were plans to extend this to the rest of England to provide more support locally for people and staff.

At the last inspection on 30 June and 3 July 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Quality assurance procedures were used to monitor and improve the service for people and included them in developing their care and support. Feedback from people and their relatives or supporters was used to improve the service when their views were sought annually. Feedback about the handover between staff when there was a change in care worker had been highlighted and addressed. However, monitoring and auditing of systems could be improved to ensure accidents and medicine management records were complete. The service took immediate action to introduce a new checking system. We have made a recommendation with regard to the oversight monitoring of the service to ensure this will be sustained.

People were supported to maintain good health and be involved in decisions about their health. They were provided with individualised care and support. Staff had the knowledge and skills to carry out their roles and their training was updated annually. The live-in care workers knew people well and treated them with dignity and respect. Their changing care needs were monitored and the care plans were updated when required. People were positive about the care they received. One person told us, “The carers are always kind and efficient.” One relative commented in our survey, “Corinium has been a revelation. During the course of the last year, my parents, both of whom have dementia and receive 24 hour care, have received care from just four carers from Corinium. Each has been entirely appropriate for my parents' needs. I couldn't recommend them highly enough.”

Risks to people’s and staff safety were identified, assessed and appropriate action was taken. Staff had completed safeguarding adults training and knew how to keep people safe and report concerns. People’s medicines were safely managed. There were thorough recruitment checks completed to help ensure suitable staff were employed to care and support people. People were encouraged to make choices about their care and support and to be as independent as possible. People were protected by staff having regard to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). The MCA provides the legal framework to assess people’s capacity to make certain decisions.

Regular care manager meeting ensured concerns were discussed and procedures were updated in line with national and local changes in legislation and guidance. Care workers were well trained and supported by the agency office staff. Changes to their support in the field were planned with the employment of additional field care managers living in the same area. Healthcare professionals supported and monitored people’s health when required.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

Corinium Care Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides live-in care and support to people in their own homes. The agency has been involved in these services for many years. However, until early in 2015 the agency did not directly employ care staff and was not regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). On 16 January 2015 Corinium Care Limited registered with CQC and began directly employing staff. This was the first inspection of the agency following their registration with CQC.

The inspection was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours advance notice of the inspection. We did this to ensure staff would be available to meet us at the agency’s office.

At the time of the inspection the service was providing live-in personal care to more than 150 people. The agency was providing care to people in different locations throughout England. These services were managed by the agency from an office in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. People using the service, their families and Corinium Care Limited staff used the term ‘carer’ to refer to care staff. Therefore, when direct quotes are used in this report carer has been used. When we are referring to staff we have used the term care staff.

There was a registered manager in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider. 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 received care and support from care staff they felt safe with. People were safe because care staff understood their role and responsibilities to keep them safe from harm. Care staff knew how to raise any safeguarding concerns. Risks were assessed and individual plans put in place to protect people from harm. There were enough skilled and experienced care staff to meet people’s needs. The provider carried out employment checks on care staff before they worked with people to assess their suitability.

The service was effective because staff had been trained to meet people’s needs. New staff received a thorough induction before providing care and support for people. Staff received support from managers through effective supervision and performance appraisal. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in supporting people to make their own choices and decisions.

People received a caring and compassionate service from staff who knew them well. The provider and staff worked hard to provide a caring service in partnership with people using the service and their families. People were treated with dignity and respect. People were involved in planning the care and support they received. Staff protected people’s confidentiality and the need for privacy.

The service responded to people’s needs and the care and support provided was personalised. The provider encouraged people to provide feedback on the service received. The service made changes in response to people’s views and opinions.

People received a service that was well-led because the registered manager and other senior staff provided good leadership and management. The vision and values of the service were communicated and understood by staff. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Feedback on the quality of service people received was continually sought and any areas needing improvement identified and addressed.