Libra Care Limited

Updated 18 January 2020

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

The inspection was completed by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

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

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

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 15 November 2019 and ended on 19 November 2019. We visited the office location on 15 November 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four members of staff, the registered manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection –

We spoke on the telephone to five people who receive care from the provider and two relatives.

Updated 18 January 2020

About the service

Libra Care Limited is a home care provider providing personal care to 39 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection.

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

The registered manager had not consistently recorded their recruitment decisions to assure themselves staff were recruited safely. Training records did not always evidence the training / support provided to staff.

People were supported by staff who knew how to safeguard people from abuse and manage risks to keep people safe. Medicines were given in a safe way and staff followed safe infection control procedures.

People’s needs were assessed and reviewed as appropriate. People were supported to eat where needed and staff sought healthcare support for people if required. People 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.

Staff were kind, caring and went above and beyond their usual duties for people. People were treated with dignity and had their independence encouraged.

People were supported by staff who knew them well. People’s wishes at the end of life were considered and complaints made had been investigated.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 18 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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