This was the first comprehensive inspection of this service since the provider initially registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in May 2017. The provider started to provide care and support for people in November 2017 and this inspection took place on 6 and 12 February 2018.

Lead Care is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to adults with learning and physical disabilities and older people, including people living with dementia who live in their own homes. The agency works mainly within Cambridgeshire. At the time of our inspection there were fourteen people using the service.

The service had a registered manager. The registered manager had left in December 2017. The owner/provider was acting manager and had applied for registration. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Whilst there was a recruitment process in place it required strengthening to ensure gaps in employment, verification of references and notes of interviews were documented. The manager had all the required documentation in place before the completion of the inspection.

People, and their relatives, told us they were happy with the care they received.

People told us they felt safe. People were protected from harm by staff that recognised the signs of abuse and were confident to raise concerns. Risk assessments were in place and there were enough staff to safely provide care and support.

People’s consent was sought before care was offered and the registered manager and staff were familiar with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Where required people were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a healthy diet and health professionals were contacted on people’s behalf if needed.

There were personalised care plans and assessments of potential risks to people and clear guidance for staff on responding to identified risks. People's care and support needs were kept under review to help ensure that they continued to be met.

People who used the service and their relatives told us the service was able to meet their needs.

People felt their views were listened to and staff supported them as individuals. People’s confidentiality was promoted as records were held securely.

People who used the service felt confident to raise any concerns and were confident that they would be managed appropriately. Staff said that they were fully supported by the manager.