The inspection of Ace Homecare Services Limited took place on the 12 April 2018 and was announced. Ace Homecare Services Limited is registered to provide personal care services to people in their own homes. The services they provide include personal care, housework and supporting people to take their medicines. At the time of this inspection, the two registered managers informed us that there were 30 people who used the service, all of whom lived in Harrow. This was the first inspection as the service was newly registered with the CQC in March 2017.

Not everyone using Ace Homecare Services Limited receives a regulated activity. CQC only inspect the service received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

The service had two registered managers who work full time. They informed us that they wanted to ensure that the service was well supported. Registered managers are people who have registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People and relatives of people who used the service spoke highly of care workers and informed us that they were satisfied with the care and services provided. They informed us that people had been treated with respect and they were safe when cared for by the service. There was a safeguarding adults’ policy and care workers were aware of the procedure to follow if they suspected people were being abused.

There were suitable arrangements for supporting people with their medicines. There was a policy and procedure for the administration of medicines. The medicine administration records (MAR) had been properly completed to indicate that people had received their medicines.

Risk assessments were seen in the care records of people. However, two of them were not sufficiently comprehensive as they did not describe signs and symptoms to look for. These were rectified soon after the inspection.

The service had a recruitment procedure to ensure that care workers recruited were suitable and had the appropriate checks prior to being employed. We examined a sample of six records of care workers. We noted that these records had the necessary documentation such as a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), references, evidence of identity and permission to work in the United Kingdom.

The service had a training programme to ensure care workers were competent and able to care effectively for people. Certificates were seen in the records of care workers. They had the necessary support and supervision from management staff. Teamwork and communication within the service was good. New care workers had received a comprehensive induction.

Care workers were caring in their approach and able to form positive relationships with people. There were arrangements for encouraging people and their representatives to express their views and make suggestions regarding the care provided and the management of the service. Individual assessments and care plans had been prepared for people. These contained information regarding people’s cultural and religious background.

The service had a complaints procedure and people and their representatives knew who to contact if they had concerns. Complaints recorded had been promptly responded to. People and their representatives expressed confidence in the management of the service.

Audits of the service had not yet been carried out. The registered managers stated that they had only started providing care to service users. The registered manager informed us that the service was newly set up and they were in the process of arranging their audits.