This inspection took place on 3 May 2017. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service in people’s own homes and we needed to be sure that someone would be available to assist with the inspection.

Shared Care Services is registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection they were providing a service to 41 people. This was mostly to children and young people with a learning disability.

The service has a registered manager. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Relatives were very happy with the quality of care provided. They told us their family members were supported by regular staff who provided continuity of care. They added that staff knew those they supported well and had formed good relationships with them.

Systems were in place to ensure that young people aged 16 and over, received care and support in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Systems were in place to ensure that children and young people received their prescribed medicines safely and appropriately. Medicines were administered by staff who were trained to do this and the registered manager will be carrying out competency assessments on staff who administer medicines. We recommend that medicines records be changed in line with National Institute of Clinical excellence guidance to help to ensure safe practice and lessen the risk of error.

Staff received the support and training they needed to give them the necessary skills and knowledge to meet children and young people’s assessed needs, preferences and choices and to provide an effective and responsive service.

Children and young people were protected by the provider’s recruitment process which ensured that staff suitability was checked before they started to work with them.

Staff knew and respected children and young people’s religious and cultural needs and how to support them in line with these.

Staff supported children and young people with their eating and drinking using food and fluids provided by families.

The registered manager monitored the quality of the service provided and sought feedback about the service from relatives, children and young people.

Staff told us that they received good support from the registered manager. They were confident that any concerns raised would be addressed. Relatives also felt able to talk to the registered manager and to raise any issues they might have.

Children and young people received a safe service. They were supported by caring staff who treated them with respect and kindness.

Staff liaised with relatives to support children and young people with their healthcare needs.