About the service: Daisy Chain Care Team is a domiciliary care service. The service is registered to provide care and support for older people and younger adults who may experience dementia, sensory impairments, learning disabilities, physical impairments or mental health issues. At the time of this inspection 11 people were receiving the regulated activity of ‘Personal Care’.

People’s experience of using this service:

People were safe and protected from avoidable harm because staff knew how to identify and report any concerns relating to the risk of abuse. They were familiar with how to report concerns to agencies outside of the organisation. Risks to people`s health, safety and well-being were assessed and measures were put in place to remove or reduce the risks. People were supported by staff who had been safely recruited through a robust process.

People’s medicines were managed safely. Staff had received appropriate training and had their competency assessed to help ensure they were sufficiently skilled and knowledgeable in this area. Staff had received training in infection control practices and personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons was provided for them. The management team took appropriate actions following any incidents and learning was shared with staff.

Before care delivery started the provider completed assessments to make sure people`s needs could be met by Daisy Chain Care Team. Care plans were developed from these assessments for each person’s identified needs and staff had clear guidance on how to meet those needs. Staff received training and support to enable them to carry out their roles effectively.

People told us staff prepared simple meals for them as needed and encouraged them to take fluids to maintain their health and wellbeing. Staff and the registered manager knew people well and were able to promptly identify when people`s needs changed and they sought professional advice appropriately. Staff were proactive in identifying if people were unwell and contacted appropriate healthcare professionals as needed. Mental capacity assessments were carried out where needed to establish if people making decisions affecting their lives had the capacity to do so.

People and their relatives praised the kind and caring nature of staff. People received consistent care from a small team of staff. Staff helped to relieve people’s distress and discomfort, and supported people to maintain personal relationships. People knew about their care plans and could decide what care and support they needed. People’s records were held securely in a locked cabinet within a locked office to help promote confidentiality.

People received care and support as they wished. People told us they would be confident to raise any concerns with the management team. Everyone we spoke with during this inspection was satisfied with the care and support they received.

The registered manager was committed to providing a high standard of care to the people they supported as well as the staff team and understood their responsibilities under the Duty of Candour. People, their relatives and staff members spoke highly of the registered manager and told us that they were always available and supportive. People told us that they were often asked for their views about the quality of the service.

Rating at last inspection: This was the first inspection of this service since registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in November 2017.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspec