Ruby Care

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

At our last inspection we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good.

Good: This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 78 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

People, and/or their relatives, told us they were safe when staff provided care. One relative said, “I couldn’t fault the care. My mum said that [the carer] was kind and lovely to her throughout the night.” Another relative told us, “[Carer] was a lovely chap. I trusted the carers and it was a relief to know that they were there.”

Staff knew the signs of abuse to look out for and told us they would report these to one of the managers to ensure action was taken to keep people safe. There were appropriate policies and procedures in place to protect people from the risk of abuse.

Safeguarding concerns were reported to the local authority safeguarding team and the provider knew what actions were needed to keep people safe. Following a recent safeguarding concern, the provider had reviewed and improved their procedures and organised additional training for managers as they felt this concern should have been escalated to the commissioners earlier than it was.

Risks to people had been identified and assessed. People had personal risk assessments relevant to their particular needs. When risk had been identified staff followed actions to keep people safe. Potential risks and hazards within people's homes had been assessed and risk assessments were in place. One staff member said, “Our role involves risk assessment of both the client and ourselves. I think that Ruby Care takes our safety very seriously and have always listened to my observations.”

Staff were provided with detailed information about each person to help them understand and manage risks. Staff completed hourly reports when providing care to people. Staff would ‘flag’ if they thought there were any changes to the risks to people during each care visit. If so, the risk assessment would be reviewed immediately. One staff member told us, “We have plenty of time to read notes on the client, their care plan and risk assessments. All this information means we arrive with the client well informed and professionally prepared.”

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

People, and/or their relatives, spoke about staff in exceptional terms, both in relation to the care provided and the calibre and caring nature of staff. The provider took great care to ‘match’ individual carers to those receiving care, taking into account people’s preferences, personalities, beliefs and those of staff. One person said, “The care has been absolutely fantastic, carers have all been excellent. They employ excellent staff.” Other comments included, “I can't speak about the care staff highly enough, [they were] a lifesaver, amazing people.” and “All of the carers were lovely and went out of their way, above and beyond, to provide the best care for mum.”

Staff spoke about the provider’s training, support and staff welfare in exceptional terms. Comments from staff included, “They make sure all correct training and protocol is in place. They are truly a wonderful company to work for and I’m glad to be a part of the company” and “I have worked in care for 19 years and this team is the best I've had. The level of interpersonal support is without compare.”

Staff were provided with comprehensive training such as health and safety practices and how to care for people who have had a stroke, those who had Parkison’s disease or people who were nearing the end of their lives. Formal supervision meetings with staff and regular staff meetings were held. Less formal coffee mornings were also arranged so staff could spend time together.

Senior care supervisors provided night support as staff often worked alone and carried out spot checks on care staff to ensure high quality care was being provided.

People were supported by staff who had been recruited safely. Appropriate checks were carried out on all new staff to ensure they were of good character and safe to support people in their own homes. Any further information required, such as gaps in an employment history, would be discussed with the prospective staff member during their interview and recorded.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Staff occasionally supported people with their medicines, but this was rare as staff provided care overnight. However, staff were suitably trained to administer medicines and their competency was formally assessed before they were able to give medicines to people.

Staff often liaised with other health professionals, such as the district nursing team, to ensure people had the medicines they needed. Medicine administration records were used to record when people had taken medicines. Policies and procedures were in place relating to safety of medicines.