This inspection took place on 18 October 2016 and 19 October 2016 was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be at the office.

Practical Care Solutions Limited is a domiciliary care service providing care and support to people living in their own homes. The office is based in the city of Leicester and the service currently provides care and support to people living in Warwickshire and Coventry. At the time of our inspection there were 12 people using the service. People’s packages of care varied dependent upon their needs. The provider employed seven staff.

This was our first inspection of the service since they registered with us on 26 February 2015.

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.

People told us they felt safe with the staff who supported them and they were happy with the service provided. Staff were trained, able to recognise signs of abuse and understood their responsibility in protecting people from the risk of harm.

People’s care needs were assessed and measures were in place to manage risks. People were involved in the development of their care plans, which provided staff with clear information on how to support people safely.

People were supported to take their medicines safely. Staff supported people, where required, with their meals and drinks. People’s safety and wellbeing was further promoted by staff who monitored and followed the advice from health care professionals in order to support someone’s health needs. Records showed people were support to access healthcare services when required.

People’s ongoing care needs, potential risks and care plans were regularly reviewed. Care plans were updated and the changes were communicated with the staff team at the same time That helped to ensure staff knew how to meet people’s needs safely and supported people to stay safe and well.

People’s care plans were personalised and described how they wished to be supported and their views about the service were sought regularly. Staff were knowledgeable about people's preferences and how they wished to be supported, which promoted their wellbeing.

Staff were recruited in accordance with the provider’s recruitment procedures to ensure they were suitable to look after people living in their own homes. People were supported by the number of staff identified in their care plans to keep them safe and meet their needs.

The registered manager and staff had an understanding of the key principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff understood the importance of seeking people’s consent before providing care and support. People told us staff asked their consent and respected their wishes in how they wanted to be supported.

People told us they made decisions about how they wanted their care to be provided. People were involved in their care and staff understood the importance to respect people's preferences and wishes with regards to how they wished to be supported. Care plans provided staff with clear guidance to follow in order to meet people’s needs in a way that suited the person’s preferences. People’s care needs were regularly reviewed and their care plans updated.

People and relatives we spoke with were complimentary about the staff attitude and approach in how they were supported. People spoke fondly about the staff. They told us staff were caring and responsive to their needs and promoted their wellbeing and independence. Staff maintained people's privacy and dignity whilst supporting them to remain as independent as possible.

People had confidence in the management of t