This inspection took place on 27 July 2017 and telephone calls to people who used the service, their relatives and staff were made on 28 July and 1 August 2017. The inspection was announced.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Unique Herts Care is a domiciliary care service that is registered to provide personal care. This domiciliary care service enables people to continue living independently in their own home. At the time of the inspection twenty one people were using the service.

There was 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 felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and knew how to report them, protecting people from avoidable harm and abuse.

People had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as they could be whilst being kept safe.

There were sufficient staff, with the correct skill mix, on duty to support people with their needs.

Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the service to ensure staff employed were suitable for the role.

Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service. Some people administered their own medication.

Staff received a comprehensive induction process and on-going training. They were well supported by the registered manager and had regular one to one time for supervisions and annual appraisals. Staff had attended a variety of training to ensure they were able to provide care based on current practice when supporting people.

Staff gained consent before supporting people and had signed consent within their care plans. People were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff gave support when required.

People were supported to access a variety of additional health professionals when required. Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well. People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the planning of their care and support. People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.

A complaints procedure was in place and accessible to all. People knew how to complain. Effective quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement.