We completed an announced inspection at Mears Care Stoke on 17 May 2017. This was the first ratings inspection since the service registered on the 13 November 2015.

Mears Care Stoke are registered to provide personal care. People are supported with their personal care needs to enable them to live in their own homes and promote their independence. At the time of the inspection the service supported approximately 206 people in their own homes.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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.

Staff and the registered manager understood their responsibilities to keep people safe from harm where abuse may be suspected.

People's risks were assessed and followed. Staff knew people's needs and carried out support in a safe way.

There was a system in place to monitor incidents and accidents and actions had been taken to mitigate the risks and ensure that people were protected from the risk of further occurrences.

There were enough suitably qualified staff available to meet people's assessed needs. The provider had an effective recruitment system in place to ensure staff were suitable to provide support to vulnerable people.

We found that people's medicines were managed and monitored in a way that kept people safe from harm.

Staff received training which was updated regularly to ensure they had the knowledge and skills required to meet people's needs effectively.

People consented to their care and where they were unable to consent mental capacity assessments and decisions had been made in the person’s best interests had in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Staff showed they understood and applied the requirements of the MCA. This meant people’s rights were protected as the provider was appropriately applying the principles of the MCA.

People were supported to eat and drink sufficient amounts and were offered choices. Staff understood people's nutritional needs and preferences when they supported people with their diet.

People were supported to access health professionals when required and referrals for advice were sought by the registered manager, which ensured people's health and wellbeing was maintained.

People received care that was caring and compassionate and they were enabled to make choices about their care. People's dignity was maintained when they received support from staff.

People were supported by a consistent team of staff who knew their needs and preferences well. People were involved in the planning and review of their care, which was planned and carried out in a way that met their preferences.

People told us they knew how to complain and the provider had an effective system in place to investigate and respond to complaints.

People and staff felt able to approach the registered manager and staff felt supported to carry out their role.

Feedback was sought from people and staff, which was acted on by the registered manager to make improvements to service delivery.

Effective systems were in place to assess, monitor and manage the service. The registered manager was committed to making improvements to the quality of the service and the provider had an overview of the service provided.