Background to this inspection
Updated
5 January 2024
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Inspection team
The inspection was completed by 1 inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
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 8 December 2023 and ended on 21 December 2023. We visited the location’s office on 8 December 2023.
What we did before the inspection
We sought feedback from the local authority and Healthwatch on the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
During our visit to the location’s office, we spoke with the nominated individual, registered manager, care coordinator and a senior care staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also reviewed a range of records, including 5 people’s care records, medicines records, 3 staff members’ recruitment records and records associated with the management of the service.
Following the visit to the location's office, we spoke with 2 people who used the service, 4 relatives, a person’s friend, 3 care staff, 1 senior care staff and a social care professional. We also reviewed additional information provided by the management team, namely staff training information and selected policies and procedures.
Updated
5 January 2024
About the service
Ray of Sunshine Care Ltd is a domiciliary care service providing care and support to older people and younger adults in their own homes. The service supports people with physical disabilities, mental health needs and dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people using the service.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Improvements were needed in relation to the safe management of people’s medicines. Some people’s care plans needed clearer guidance for staff on how to safely manage risks associated with their health and their care and support needs.
People and their relatives felt staff delivered safe care and support. Management completed pre-employment checks on prospective staff to ensure they were suitable to support people in their own homes. People received their medicines from staff who had been trained in the provider’s medicines procedures. Staff took steps to protect people from the risk of infections. Management sought to learn lessons when things went wrong and to cascade learning throughout the staff team.
People’s care and support needs, choices and preferences were assessed before their care started. Staff were provided with a range of training and ongoing management support to ensure they worked safely and effectively. People had the support they wanted to prepare meals and drinks. Staff and management collaborated effectively with other agencies and helped people access healthcare services when needed. Staff sought people’s consent before delivering care and support.
People and their relatives told us staff and management treated them in a respectful, kind and caring manner. People and their relatives felt able to express their views to staff and management at any time, to shape the care and support delivered to suit them.
People received personalised care and support, as part of which consideration was given to their individual communication needs. People and their relatives knew how to complain about the service and were confident concerns would be addressed. People were encouraged to think about their wishes for their future care in a sensitive manner.
The management team promoted a positive, open, inclusive and person-centred culture within the service. People and their relatives had confidence in the management team, and staff felt well-supported and listened to. Management completed regular audits and checks to assess, monitor and improve standards of care and support. As part of this, they actively sought feedback on the service from people, their relatives and staff.
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 September 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.