This inspection took place on 31 January 2017. This was an announced inspection as Devana Care is a small domiciliary care and supported living service providing support to people in their own homes. Therefore we needed to be sure someone would be at the office to assist with the inspection. At the time of the inspection four people received the regulated activity.

At the time of the inspection a registered manager was in post. 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 in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Recruitment procedures were not always robust and the provider did not always have all the required information relating to staff. However, the registered manager took immediate action. Following the inspection they provided us with evidence of the required information and improvements they had made to the recruitment process.

Risks to people’s well-being were assessed and guidance provided for staff to minimise risks. However, the management plan for the risks related to moving and positioning one person was not sufficiently detailed to ensure their safety. This was reviewed immediately and an updated management plan made available to staff.

People received support with their medicines when they required it and there was a system in place to manage medicines safely. There were sufficient staff deployed to provide safe and effective support to people.

Staff received training to ensure they had the skills to care for people safely and effectively. They were knowledgeable and showed awareness of how to keep people safe. They understood the policies and procedures used to safeguard people.

People’s right to make decisions was protected. People and where appropriate their relatives and other professionals had been involved in making decisions about their care. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to gaining consent before providing support and care. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, the policies and systems in the service supported this practice .

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff were respectful and people’s dignity was protected. People were supported to be as independent as possible.

Staff were kept up to date with information concerning people or changes to their support. Staff contacted health or social care professionals to seek advice when concerns were identified regarding a person’s well-being. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and have sufficient to eat.

There was an open culture in the service. Staff were comfortable to approach the registered manager for advice and guidance. Staff felt supported, they had regular meetings with their manager and were provided with appropriate training. They said they were listened to and were confident action would be taken promptly to manage any concerns raised.

Regular feedback was obtained from people using the service. The quality of the service was monitored through a system of audits, which were used to make improvements. A complaints policy was available and people were made aware of it. No complaints had been received in the last year.