During an assessment under our new approach
About the service
Always Take Care Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care, to adults in their own homes in the community. The service specialises in providing 24-hour live-in care staff. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks relating to personal hygiene and eating. Where this is the case, we also consider any wider social care provided.
Who the service is for
This service supports older people who are living in their own homes. At the time of our assessment, 24people were using the service.
Key findings
We carried out this assessment on 16 June 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.
The provider demonstrated a positive learning culture where incidents, concerns and feedback were reviewed and used to improve the quality of care provided. Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities and were confident in recognising, reporting and responding to concerns to keep people safe from abuse and avoidable harm. A staff member said, “We immediately record [incidents] on our [digital system] under ‘raise concerns’ documenting the incident accurately. We record date, time, location, factual description, action taken, witnesses as well as information [to] the office and getting their advice and input.”
Risk assessments reflected people's individual support needs. Some care records did not consistently include detailed information relating to specific healthcare needs; however, staff demonstrated a good understanding of people's needs and had taken prompt and appropriate action when people became unwell. People's home environments were assessed to ensure they were suitable and safe for the delivery of care.
The provider ensured there were sufficient numbers of appropriately skilled, experienced and trained staff to meet people's needs through live-in care arrangements. Staff received induction, training, supervision and ongoing support to carry out their roles effectively. Recruitment processes were robust and helped ensure only suitable staff were employed. Medicines were managed safely, with clear procedures for administration, recording, storage and monitoring within people's homes.
People's needs were assessed before care commenced, and care plans reflected their preferences, routines and support requirements. A staff member told us, “I am given access to the person’s care plan on [the digital system] before arriving at the person’s home, giving me time to read through and understand.” Staff monitored people's health and wellbeing and worked with healthcare professionals when concerns or changes in needs were identified. A visiting health care professional told us, “Both management and carers were excellent. Communication was always open and responsive. Staff and managers were always quick to get in touch with myself or other healthcare professionals when needed and took on board the advice given.”
Staff understood the principles of consent and supported people to make decisions about their care wherever possible. Care was person-centred and tailored to people's individual needs and preferences. People and, where appropriate, their relatives were actively involved in planning and reviewing care. The provider sought feedback from people using the service and used this information to improve care and people’s outcomes. The provider promoted equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring people received fair and equitable care and support.
There was a clear vision and positive culture within the service, focused on delivering high-quality, person-centred live-in care. The provider’s vision and values statement included ‘Our values come from caring and providing care that counts, that makes people feel independent and empowered in their own home.’ Managers were approachable, responsive and committed to continuous improvement. A staff member told us, “I enjoy working for [Always Take Care Limited] as they make you feel part of a family. They give amazing support and they are just a phone call away. They go above and beyond in looking after us and their clients.”
Governance and quality assurance systems were effective in monitoring service performance. Audits, feedback, incident reviews and oversight processes were used to support learning and improve outcomes for people. The provider demonstrated a commitment to innovation and learning, ensuring the service continued to develop and respond to the changing needs of people receiving care.