Date of Assessment: 30 October to 11 November 2025. This service is a domiciliary care service, registered to provide personal care for people living in their own homes in the community. They provide support to people with a range of different needs including older people and younger adults. At the time of the assessment 95 people were using the service, 85 of which were receiving the regulated activity of personal care. Not everyone who uses a domiciliary service receives personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. An assessment has been undertaken of a specialist service that is registered for use by autistic people or people with a learning disability. At the time of the assessment, the service was not supporting anyone whose primary support need was a learning disability or autism. However, we assessed the care provision under Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, as it is registered as a specialist service for this population group. This provider was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of ‘Right support, right care, right culture’. We rated this service under our previous methodology in August 2022 where it was inspected and rated as good overall with requires improvement in safe. At this assessment we reviewed all 5 key questions and rated the provider overall good. Care records for some people needed more detail. Whilst we found no harm to people, further information was needed to ensure risks were fully mitigated and to ensure staff had all information needed to be able to provide care and support that was safe, consistent and effective. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Staff received appropriate training, and the management team supported staff through regular supervisions and appraisals. Recruitment systems were in place, but these needed to be reviewed to fully ensure the safe recruitment of staff. This was actioned immediately by the provider. The provider had processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and knew how to act on concerns. Lessons were learnt from incidents and shared with staff. People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated people as individuals and supported their choices. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported and felt happy in their roles. Governance systems were in place and there were a range of audits, analysis and checks within the service. This supported safety and quality.
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Nucare Agency Ltd received an overall Good rating on its first CQC inspection, with Safe rated Requires Improvement due to gaps in recruitment checks, incomplete bed rail risk assessments, a conflicting care plan entry, and isolated PPE non-compliance. All other key questions were rated Good, underpinned by strong person-centred care, positive staff culture, and effective partnership working.
Concerns (5)
moderateRecord keeping: “One care plan we reviewed contained conflicting information about a person's mobility following a change in the person's needs. This increased the risk they could receive inappropriate support to mobilise.”
moderateStaff competency: “They had not ensured they obtained a full work history for each staff member. The provider amended their recruitment practices immediately.”
moderateCare planning: “Risks associated with the use of bed rails had not been thoroughly assessed. The provider agreed to implement a more comprehensive assessment for any person using bed rails.”
minorCare planning: “The provider needed to make some minor improvements to people's care plans when staff supported people with medicines prescribed on a 'when required' basis.”
minorInfection control: “There had been occasions where staff had not followed good practice guidance in respect of the use of face masks. We brought this to the provider's attention, and they addressed it immediately.”
Strengths
· People and relatives universally praised the service and said they would recommend it to others.
· Staff arrived on time and never missed a visit, with people reporting they were never rushed.
· Staff treated people with dignity, respect and kindness, supporting independence and person-centred care.
· Strong multi-disciplinary working with health and social care professionals, including proactive referrals.
· Open and transparent culture with positive staff morale and effective feedback mechanisms.
Quality-Statement breakdown (24)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentRequires improvement
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementRequires improvement
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionRequires improvement
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Working in partnership with othersGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood