About the service: Dengie Care Providers is a small community care service providing personal care to up to five people with a learning disability in their own homes.

People’s experience of using this service: People received an outstanding service. Staff provided care and support that was safe whilst also supporting people to test their limits and to live their best life possible.

Staff had an excellent understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults. Safe recruitment practices were in place that involved people using the service in interview processes.

People receiving a service had access to health and social care services to remain healthy both physically and mentally and staff supported them to attend appointments. Staff supported people to plan their weekly food menus, budget for shopping and cook their own meals.

Staff had access to both mandatory training and additional training courses. Particularly when people developed additional needs, for example end of life care.

The provider/ manager was passionate about providing high quality, caring services to people. Support workers told us they were inspired by this caring approach. People told us that staff were exceptionally caring, and relatives told us “They all go above and beyond in everything they do.”

People received exceptionally responsive care which was outstanding. Staff knew people incredibly well and supported support to push barriers and achieve a fulfilling and meaningful life.

People receiving a service were thoroughly integrated into community life.

The service had recently experienced the death of someone they had cared for many years. The care this person received from the service and attention to end of life and funeral plans was incredibly person centred.

The provider, was also the registered manager and their approach to running the service put people firmly central to all decisions that were made. Care provided was safely monitored and people, staff and relatives told us that the provider was outstanding.

Rating at last inspection: This service was last inspected on the 3 November 2015 and was rated Good in all domains.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled/planned inspection based on previous rating.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor this service in line with the current rating.

The inspection took place on 3 November 2015.

Dengie Care Providers Agency offers personal care to a small group of people with learning disabilities and mental health needs in their own homes this includes supporting them to access the local community and to take part in social activities. The service offers support to people living in Cold Norton and the surrounding area. At the time of our inspection there were five people using the service.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 and associate Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe and staff knew what actions to take to protect them from abuse. The provider had processes in place to identify and manage risk.

People received care from a consistent staff team who were well supported and trained.

Care staff understood the need to obtain consent when providing care.

People were supported with meals and to make choices about the food and drink they received. Staff supported people to maintain good health and access health services when needed.

Assessments had been carried out and personalised care plans were in place which reflected individual needs and preferences. The provider had an effective complaints procedure and people had confidence that concerns would be investigated and addressed.

The service benefitted from a clear management structure and visible leadership. A range of systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service being delivered and drive improvement.

During this inspection we met three of the five people who used the service, a healthcare professional and spoke with one person’s relative. All spoke highly about the service. One person described the support they received from the caring staff as, “Excellent…if it wasn’t for (names of the providers) I wouldn't be where I am today, they are absolutely fantastic.”

People told us that the service was well led and staff had the skills and knowledge to support them. One person told us, “Absolutely brilliant, I wish everyone (service provider) was like it…I have seen such a change in people’s lives, I am not exaggerating, it is amazing.” Another person told us, “I am very happy,” with the service,” I can ring up,” at any time and speak with staff, “I have never had any concerns,” on how the service was run.

People told us that they had been fully involved in putting together their support plan. We found the information contained in people’s support plans to be person centred. This was because it provided staff with clear guidance on the level of support people wanted to maintain their independence and ensure their wellbeing. This included achieving their individual aims, such as overseas travel and learning / improving life skills.

We found that people were protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had been followed.

On this occasion we did not talk to people who used the service as this was a follow up inspection to check that improvements had been made.

There had been improvements in the assessment and monitoring of the quality of the service through involvement of people who used the service and staff. For example, regular reviews of care, increasing the deputy role, personnel files containing all relevant information and record keeping being up to date and organised.

We found that people had up to date support plans and risk assessments in place. They were fully involved in writing these and signed their consent. A key worker system was in place and people were supported to deal with their medication. The monthly staff rotas provided sufficient and consistent support staff.

People told us that they were happy with their care and support from Dengie Care Providers. Most of the support workers were of a similar age so they got on very well together. Shopping and cooking were two of the most favourite activities people did with their support workers.