This inspection took place on 22 November 2016 and was announced. This was the first time the service had been inspected. Evergreen Care Provider Limited provides personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 12 people, four of whom were children. Several people they supported had learning disabilities.

There was a registered manager in place who was present during our inspection. 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 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People and relatives told us told us that they felt safe using the service. Staff received regular refresher safeguarding training and knew how to report allegations or suspicions of poor practice for both adults and children who used the service.

People who needed support with their medicines were supported appropriately. Staff knew how to dispense medicines safely and there were regular observations of practice and checks by senior staff to make sure this was done properly.

People were supported by staff who had the appropriate skills and knowledge they needed to meet their care needs. Staff received regular training to they maintain their knowledge and could support people in line with recognised good practice.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to stay well. Staff knew what foods people enjoyed eating.

People were supported to have their mental and physical healthcare needs met. Records contained clear guidance for staff about how to recognise if a person’s health was at risk of deteriorating and how to keep the person and others safe from harm. The registered manager involved and took advice from relevant health professionals when needed.

People said staff were caring and had built up close relationships with the members of staff who supported them. There were enough staff to ensure people were supported by the same members of staff they liked. People were involved in deciding how they wanted their care to be delivered and were supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. There was clear information and guidance for staff when other people had authority to make decisions on behalf of people who used the service.

People said staff treated them with dignity and respect. There were clear policies and training for staff so they knew how to maintain people’s privacy when providing personal care.

Staff were responsive to people’s needs and delivered care in line with people’s wishes. People were supported to engage in activities they asked to do. People had access to a complaints system and the registered manager responded appropriately to concerns.

There was effective leadership from the registered manager and senior members of staff. People and staff told us the service had improved. The registered manager had a clear vision to provide a caring and passionate service which they shared with staff.

The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care people received. Further action was required to ensure quality monitoring processes were reviewed for trends which could affect the quality of the service.