# ASK Care Limited

*Operated by Ask Care Limited.*

ASK Care Limited is a CQC-regulated home-care agency in Ilford.

## CQC Ratings

| Key question | Rating |
| --- | --- |
| Overall | Good |
| Safe | Good |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Good |

Rating published: 14/02/2023

## Practical info

- Postcode: IG1 3BG
- Registered manager: Siera, Sareena
- Local authority: Redbridge
- Region: London
- City: Ilford
- Last CQC check: 14/Feb/2023 - 00:00

## Inspection findings

### Other

- Finding
  - Evidence: People reported feeling very safe and staff described adequate travel time between visits.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- Finding
  - Evidence: Provider works in partnership with Skills for Care and achieved Investors in People award.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- Finding
  - Evidence: Open and positive culture; people, relatives and staff reported high satisfaction and good communication.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- Finding
  - Evidence: Comprehensive quality assurance systems including medicines audits, care plan reviews, risk assessment reviews, and staff spot checks.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- Finding
  - Evidence: Robust safeguarding policies in place; staff trained and able to articulate reporting responsibilities.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- Finding
  - Evidence: Electronic medicines recording system with real-time alerts introduced; regular medicines audits carried out; no unexplained gaps in MAR records.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- Finding
  - Evidence: Electronic visit monitoring system introduced to track staff punctuality and address timekeeping issues, with significant improvement since last inspection.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- **leadership** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. A manager had been appointed and the provider told us it was their intention that the manager would apply to register with CQC before the end of March 2023.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- **other** _(minor)_
  - Evidence: staff application forms asked prospective staff to declare their 'Ethnic heritage'. We discussed this with the nominated individual who agreed that the question should not be asked.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- **record_keeping** _(minor)_
  - Evidence: for two people who had recently started using the service, no risk assessments had yet been carried out.
  - Published: 2023-02-14
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff morale high with recognition including graduation ceremonies for qualifications
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Quality assurance through monthly tele-monitoring and annual satisfaction surveys
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Open-door leadership culture with approachable registered manager and director
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Strong community links including free day centre for elderly women and charity fundraising
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Robust complaints handling with timely investigation and amicable resolutions
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Flexible, person-centred care matching staff to people's cultural, religious and personal preferences
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Annual appraisals, regular supervision and spot checks completed for all staff
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Strong safeguarding awareness with staff able to explain reporting procedures for abuse
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Comprehensive risk assessments completed and updated as people's conditions changed
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Medicines managed safely with staff assessed as competent before being permitted to administer
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- **staff_competency** _(minor)_
  - Evidence: five people and their relatives told us that their enquiries were sometimes misunderstood at times by staff working at the office.
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- **communication_with_families** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: some people had reported communication barriers. One relative told us, 'Training needs to be given to staff and they need to be fluent in English.'
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- **staff_training** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: training for essential topics such as Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and first aid was out of date.
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Provider worked with external agencies including Skills for Care and attended local authority provider forums.
  - Published: 2021-01-15
- Finding
  - Evidence: Effective PPE use and infection prevention and control measures in place.
  - Published: 2021-01-15
- Finding
  - Evidence: Provider conducted quarterly surveys with staff, people and relatives.
  - Published: 2021-01-15
- Finding
  - Evidence: Positive open culture reported by staff and people using the service.
  - Published: 2021-01-15
- Finding
  - Evidence: Accidents and incidents were reviewed with follow-up actions to reduce recurrence.
  - Published: 2021-01-15
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff understood safeguarding responsibilities and the provider had a safeguarding adults policy.
  - Published: 2021-01-15
- Finding
  - Evidence: Risk assessments were in place, subject to annual review, covering medicines, personal care, skin integrity, moving and handling and communication.
  - Published: 2021-01-15

## Source

Data published by the [Care Quality Commission](https://www.cqc.org.uk/) under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canonical page: https://homecarecompass.co.uk/agency/1-132772664

HomeCare Compass is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the CQC.