Archived: Ultimate Care UK Limited

During this inspection we visited the service's offices and looked at a sample records held there. We spoke with eight people who received care and two people who were relatives of people who received care. We also spoke with five care workers.

We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask; Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service well-led?

This is a summary of what we found;

Is the service safe?

People were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. People we spoke with told us that they were always treated with respect, given choices and never discriminated against.

Risk assessments had been undertaken and safe systems of work developed. This reduced risks to people who used the service and staff.

Staff had received appropriate professional development and were able to obtain further relevant qualifications. Staff wore uniforms and carried identification badges. The service informed people who would be providing their care for the week to come. This meant people's safety was maintained.

Procedures were in place for the management and administration of medicine. Care records identified the level of support people received with medication. Staff who supported people with their medication needs had received training in medication. This ensured that people were kept safe and their needs were met.

Staff were able to explain how they would report concerns to the provider and that these were acted on.

Is the service effective?

People's health and care needs were assessed. We looked at people's care plans at the provider's offices. These were detailed and were regularly reviewed.

We saw that where appropriate people's care plans contained an assessment of their mental capacity which had been carried out in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People's needs were taken into account during their visits. People's daily records showed their involvement and care given during visits.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by kind and attentive staff. One person told us, 'I cannot fault them. They are a lovely bunch.'

People's preferences, likes, dislikes and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes.

Staff communicated effectively with people using the service using specialist equipment where required.

Is the service responsive?

We saw records that showed the service responded quickly to people's changing needs. People were able to express their views and these were acted on. They were supported to maintain their independence in their homes.

Staff rotas were organised so that people had a small number of staff to care for them who understood their needs.

Is the service well-led.

There were regular staff meetings. Staff told us that they felt supported working in the service and that their views and suggestions were taken notice of.

The service had a registered manager in place.

During our inspection we visited two people within their home and spoke with a further six people over the telephone to gain their views about how well the service provided appropriate care. We identified from discussions with people who used the service, their relatives and staff that there had recently been a high number of staff leaving their employment with the service. We saw that this had the potential to put people who used the service at risk of not having their health and welfare needs met by sufficient numbers of appropriate staff.

We looked at the care records of five people who used the service. We saw that care plans and daily records contained comprehensive information about the care and support people needed to promote their health, safety and wellbeing.

We spoke with five staff who told us that they felt supported and had received the training they needed to carry out their roles and responsibilities safely. They also explained to us how they would support people in a dignified manner when carrying out personal care tasks. Staff told us that equipment when needed such as moving and handling hoists were provided promptly to enable them to support people in a safe manner.

We spoke with three people's relatives who told us that they felt that they were consulted about the care their relatives were provided with and they were kept updated with any changes in their wellbeing. They told us that they were satisfied with the care provided to their relatives. One person's relative said, '(My relative) and I were absolutely consulted every step of the way. I can't fault them.' Another person's relative said, 'They are a God send. They (care workers) make (relative) laugh and they are like friends.'

We looked at the care records of five people and found that people experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights.