- Homecare service
The Caring Company Rutland Ltd
We took enforcement action and served a warning notice on the Caring Company Rutland Ltd on 24 July 2026. The provider failed to provide the necessary leadership to ensure the safe and effective governance of the service. A lack of management oversight and governance systems left people at risk of avoidable harm and unsafe or inconsistent care.
Assessment report published 28 August 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 22 June to 27 July 2026.
The Caring Company Rutland is a domiciliary care agency providing care and support to people in their own homes. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspect where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks relating to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our assessment 23 people were being supported.
The provider was in breach of legal regulations relating to safe care and treatment and good governance.
There was a lack of effective leadership oversight and governance arrangements. Changes to the leadership and management team in April 2026, had not been. managed effectively. The handover process had not been adequate and there was a loss of important data.
Leaders did not have sufficient oversight of the quality and safety of the service. Reviews had not been undertaken with people to gather feedback about their experiences of care and support. Auditing processes relating to care plans, risk assessments and medicines management were ineffective and had not identified concerns within records.
Care plans and risk assessments did not consistently identify known risks or provide clear guidance for staff on how people's needs should be met safely. Medicines records had not been reviewed adequately to ensure people received their medicines safely and in accordance with prescribed instructions.
The provider had not ensured people’s mental capacity had been appropriately assessed where required. There was insufficient evidence decisions were made in people’s best interests or consent was sought in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Oversight of the workforce was also ineffective. The provider did not maintain accurate records of staff training and competency assessments had not been completed. As a result, we could not be assured staff possessed the necessary knowledge, skills and competence to meet people’s needs safely and effectively. In addition, staff supervision sessions and team meetings were not taking place, limiting opportunities for support, performance monitoring and effective communication across staff teams.
We received limited responses to our requests for staff feedback. Consequently, there was insufficient evidence available to comment on staff experiences of working at the service.
The provider had begun to take action to address these concerns. A new manager and clinical lead had been appointed, and a team leader role had been introduced. The provider had also engaged an external compliance and clinical governance consultancy to support the implementation of improved governance systems, quality assurance processes and staff support arrangements. Staff deployment was managed effectively. People were supported by consistent staff teams, and staff attended calls on time and remained for the planned duration of visits.
In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
Despite CQC finding people’s care had some shortfalls in relation to the standards we expect, overall people and relatives were satisfied with the care they and their family member were receiving.
People we spoke with told us they felt safe with staff when they visited. They told us they liked the staff and described them as kind and caring. One person said, “The girls are amazing, nothing is too much trouble. The quality of care is excellent; the girls are cheerful and professional.”
People told us staff were competent and knew how to meet their needs. One person told us, “They know what they are doing, I have never had any concerns. My [family member] is at risk from falling, they manage this by walking beside them. He has been having care since 2021, they came to the house to carry out an initial assessment, we were both included and our wishes and concerns were listened to.” People said staff supported them to manage their medicines in a safe way and the way they preferred.
People were not aware of their care plan but felt care and support was delivered in the way they preferred. A relative told us, “We have 3 carers who are very conscientious and knowledgeable.”
One person told us recent changes to the management structure had resulted in a decrease in focus on seeking their feedback or planning for important changes. They told us a meeting with members of the leadership team had been planned.
Most people told us the service was flexible and changes could be made to call times when required. One person said the evening call time did not meet their needs or preference. People had confidence staff would arrive on time. A person said “We have never been let down; they are always punctual. Someone from the office is due to visit next week to see how we are getting on.”