We carried out an announced inspection of Your Choice Homecare on 08 and 09 August 2017. Your Choice Homecare is a domiciliary care service whose office is situated on Chorley New Road in Bolton. The service provides personal care support to people in their own homes within the local authority area.

Both people using the service and the relatives we spoke with told us they felt safe as a result of the care and support provided by Your Choice Homecare. We saw the service had previously received positive feedback regarding people's safety.

The service had appropriate systems and procedures in place which sought to protect people who used the service from abuse. Staff we spoke with displayed a sound understanding of the safeguarding process and their responsibility for reporting any concerns. Staff also confirmed they had read and understood the safeguarding policy which was further supplemented by a whistleblowing policy and procedure which told staff what action to take if they had any concerns.

We saw that Your Choice Homecare placed a strong emphasis on maintaining and supporting individuals to keep them safe.

Everyone told us they had no issues with hygiene, with gloves and aprons consistently worn as required. Staff were aware of precautions to take to help prevent the spread of infection.

There was an appropriate, up to date accident and incident policy and procedure in place which was last reviewed in June 2017.

We looked at the care and support records of people who used the service and found these were comprehensive, well organised, easy to follow and included a range of risk assessments to keep people safe from harm.

People were protected against the risks of abuse because the service had a robust recruitment procedure in place.

People we spoke with and their relatives confirmed that the care workers and other staff they met were competent. People who used the service and their relatives told us staff were consistent, arrived on time and stayed for the full length of their visit.

There was a staff induction programme in place, which staff were expected to complete when they first began working for the service. Staff we spoke with all told us they received an induction and on-going training in order to ensure they had the necessary skills to meet people's individual needs.

The service held a record of all staff training undertaken and the date when it was due for renewal. Staff we spoke with confirmed they received regular one to one and group support.

The service ensured that staff were matched with people who used the service to ensure they were happy and comfortable with them providing support.

We found the service had an up to date MCA policy and procedures in place and staff had all received training in this area. We saw that mental capacity assessments had been completed and best interest meetings held with the involvement of the relevant people including family members where necessary.

All the people using the service we spoke with and their relatives told us staff sought their consent before providing care. The service gave people the appropriate support to meet people's healthcare needs.

People who used the service and their relatives told us care staff were kind, caring and helpful. People and their relatives told us they were involved in planning their care. We found the service aimed to embed equality and human rights though good person-centred care planning.

People using the service provided positive feedback regarding the support they received. The service had also received a high number of compliments in the 12 months prior to the date of the inspection. We looked at the results of the most recent questionnaires/surveys and noted comments received were consistently positive and complimentary about the service.

The service did not deliver end of life care directly and at the time of the inspection and were not involved in supporting any person or relevant professionals in providing care for