Ruby Care Services

Updated 5 March 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. Due to the pandemic, we gave a short period notice of the inspection to enable us to collate as much information as possible virtually to minimise the time spent by the inspection team visiting the office of Ruby Care Services Ltd.

Inspection activity started on 22 January 2021 and ended on 29 January 2021. We visited the office location on 29 January 2021.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives by telephone about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with two members of care staff and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. The registered manager was unavailable during our inspection therefore the inspection was conducted with the nominated individual. We received written feedback from a health care professional.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people's care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment, training and supervision and the systems in place for quality monitoring.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data. The nominated individual sent us information regarding systems they were putting in place to improve quality monitoring of the service.

Updated 5 March 2021

About the service

Ruby Care Services is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. At the time of inspection five people were receiving support with personal care.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The provider did not have formal recording systems in place to assess and monitor the quality and safety of the service.

We have made a recommendation about quality monitoring and oversight of the service.

Although staff had been trained in the safe management of medicines, there was no on-going assessment of their competence to ensure they administered people’s medicines safely, and in accordance with nationally recognised guidance.

Staff had received safeguarding adults from abuse training and knew how to act on any concerns. There was enough staff to meet the needs of the service. People told us they received care from a consistent team of staff and had not experienced any late or missed care call visits. Risk assessments were in place to manage potential risks to people’s health and well-being. Effective infection control processes were in place. Staff had access to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent the spread of infection.

Staff received mandatory training to fulfil their role and responsibilities and felt supported and valued by the provider.

People and relatives were complimentary of the service they received and, without exception, would recommend Ruby Care Services to others. People and their relatives spoke positively about the kind, caring attitude of staff and were satisfied with the care and support they received. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and people's independence was promoted.

People were supported to maintain good health and access health care professionals. Where required, people were supported with their nutritional needs.

People had individualised care plans which met their needs. People were consulted over their care and support needs and were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 21 December 2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the length of time the service was registered and when they commenced providing a regulated activity.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.