This inspection was announced and took place on 5 and 6 June 2017. We told the provider two working days before our visit that we would be coming to ensure that the people and staff we needed to talk to would be available.

Home Care Angels provides personal care and support to people who live in their own homes. At the time of our inspection they were providing personal care to approximately 75 people.

Home Care Angels has a registered manager 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.

People received care and support in an exceptionally personalised way. There were care plans in place so that staff knew what care and support to provide people. Care was focused on people's wishes, preferences and personal histories. Staff knew people well and understood their needs. This meant people were able to maintain their independence and achieve a good sense of self-worth and wellbeing. The impact this had on people was outstanding.

The service played a key role in the local community and provided people with support to attend social events to reduce the impact of being socially isolated.

People and their families told us they felt safe and secure when receiving care. Safe recruitment practices were followed and appropriate checks were undertaken, which helped make sure only suitable staff were employed to care for people in their own homes. There were sufficient numbers of staff to maintain the schedule of care visits.

Risk assessments relating to people’s individual risks and those relating to their homes’ environment were detailed and helped reduce risks whilst maintaining people’s independence. People received their medicines safely and staff contacted healthcare professionals when required.

People felt they were treated with kindness and said their privacy and dignity was respected. People were supported to eat and drink when needed.

Staff had an understanding of legislation designed to protect people’s rights and were clear that people had the right to make their own choices.

People and their relatives knew how to raise concerns or complaints. People and relatives were regularly consulted by the service.

Staff received an induction and core training so they had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs. There were enough staff employed and staff were safely recruited.

The culture within the service was personalised and open. There was a clear management structure and staff, relatives and people felt comfortable talking to the managers about any issues and were sure that overall any concerns would be addressed. There were systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service provided and share any learning both in the service and across the provider.