A HOME care service has been praised after inspection visits from the care watchdog.

Alina Homecare is based at Bentalls Shopping Centre in Heybridge and provides personal care and support to people who require assistance in their own homes in Maldon and Chelmsford.

At the time of the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) inspection five people were being supported by the service.

The watchdog only inspects where people receive personal care including help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. It also considers any wider social care provided.

Alina Homecare was registered with CQC last February, making this its first inspection.

People described positive experiences using the service when speaking to inspectors at the end of March.

One person told the inspectors they found staff polite and friendly. 

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A relative said: "My parents are very happy, they have regular care workers and they are very good."

Inspectors found care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way which "was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare". 

Staff were employed after the appropriate recruitment checks and were given proper training, the care watchdog said. 

There were systems in place to minimise the risk of infection and to learn lessons from accidents and incidents.

It was also found staff had a good understanding of people's preferences of care and promoted people's independence.

Users of the service and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. 

The registered manager told inspectors they were careful to ensure they employed happy staff who wanted to work in care.

This is reflected in complimentary reviews of the service to the inspectors.

One person said: "I have used the service for a year and I really don't want to use anyone else. 

"I had to stop using them for a while and was so pleased I could restart again."

The service has been rated good in all areas inspected including whether it is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The CQC will continue to monitor information it receives about the service.

It had given the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection due to it being a small service, as it needed to be sure the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.