Southampton care agency given new 'Good' rating by CQC

Riann Care, in Bitterne Road, Southampton, provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

During an inspection on August 31, the care agency - which was looking after 10 people - made improvements on areas where inspectors had concerns.

The regulator said that all three areas of safety, effectiveness and good leadership, which were previously rated as requiring improvement have all been judged as ‘Good’.

A spokesperson for the agency said that staff are “overjoyed”.

The report highlighted that people felt safe and were supported by staff.

It said: “Care workers arrived at the right time and stayed for the right amount of time to support people without rushing them.”

Outside the agency's office with the 'Good' rating sign (Image: Provided)READ MORE: Care home didn't 'properly assess risk' of possible legionella outbreak

At the previous inspection, the regulator found the agency didn’t have robust recruitment systems in place.

However, inspectors have now found that improvements were made and sustained and that the provider was no longer in breach of regulation.

The report said: “People were kept safe from avoidable harm because staff knew them well and understood how to protect them from abuse. The service worked with other agencies to do so.”

It added: “The provider had appropriate policies, procedures and practices to support people safely and respond to concerns.

“Staff had appropriate training in how to recognise and report abuse.

"They knew how to apply their training and were confident procedures would be followed correctly if needed.”

The care plans were also highlighted as being personalised and reflecting people’s needs and wishes.

The report said: “Staff reviewed plans regularly. Care plans reflected a good understanding of people's needs, including assessments of their communication and social needs.”

The report added: “The service was consistently managed and well-led. Leaders and the culture they created promoted high-quality, person-centred care.”

A spokesperson for Riann Care said: “We are so proud of our CQC inspection result announced on the 7th October.

“The report shows significant improvement in Safe, Effective and Well-led meaning we now have 'Good' in all 5 key areas of regulation.

“Our care staff members work so hard every day to provide compassionate person-centred care.

"We are so happy that we have accrued such an amazing team of care staff who work together and support each other so well.

“Our overall goal and passion is to support people with care, in the comfort of their own homes, we are overjoyed to know that this was recognised by our regulator."