Ribble Care Limited

Updated 19 July 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 1 and 15 May 2018 and was announced on both days. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a small domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included any notifications regarding safeguarding, accidents and changes which the provider had informed us about. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also received feedback from the local funding authority.

During this inspection we visited the office and looked at records which related to people’s individual care. We looked at four people’s care planning documentation and other records associated with running a community care service. These included four recruitment records, staff training records and policies and procedures.

We met with the compliance manager and a supervisor during our visit. After the inspection we spoke over the phone with the provider. We tried to contact all the care staff for feedback and were able to speak with two of them. We also spoke with four people who used the service.

Updated 19 July 2018

The inspection at the provider's office took place on 1 and 15 May 2018 for seven and a half hours. The inspection was announced on both days. The provider was given 24 hours’ notice because the location provides a small domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection. However, the rating for Well-Led has deteriorated from Good to Requires Improvement.

Ribble Care Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing support and care to people in their own homes. This may be companionship, domestic help like shopping, or help with personal care, like washing and dressing. The main office is based in Settle, and the agency provides services in Settle and surrounding areas.

Not everyone using the service receives the regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. We also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people who used the service for personal care support.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The provider, who was also the registered manager, spent most of their time carrying out care visits and employed a compliance manager to run the service from the office. However, the provider carried out no formal monitoring of the service to assess quality. This meant the provider could not be certain the systems and processes used by the compliance manager fully promoted the health, safety and welfare of people who used the service.

People who used the service and care staff all spoke positively about the way the service was managed. The compliance manager completed audits of records and monitored staff performance to make sure any issues were identified and acted on promptly.

People told us they felt safe. Care staff understood how to keep people safe and any potential risks were identified and managed. Risk management plans were in place to ensure people’s safe care. Care staff knew how to protect people from risks associated with harm and abuse. Safeguarding procedures and policies were in place. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to identify and report any allegations of abuse to the local authority.

There were sufficient staff to provide the service people needed. Safe recruitment practices were followed. Care workers felt well supported and received appropriate training.

People were supported to have choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Care workers understood people needed to consent to their care and were confident they supported people to make their own decisions. People received assistance with meals and healthcare when required. This supported people to maintain their health and well-being.

People told us they were happy with the care they received and were complimentary about the care workers who supported them. People said staff knew them well and treated them with kindness. Staff understood the importance of treating people with dignity and respect and promoting their independence.

People told us they had no complaints and when they had raised any issues, they were dealt with promptly. People were involved in planning of their care and support. Care records were updated as people’s needs changed to ensure care workers were fully aware of their needs. The service liaised with relevant professionals and support services to provide sensitive end of life care.