Following our recent assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Carinyo Care received a rating of Requires Improvement.
The assessment identified areas where our systems, record-keeping and management oversight needed to be strengthened. We took these findings seriously and developed a detailed action plan to address each area.
Since then, we have made significant progress across safeguarding, recruitment, staff training, quality monitoring and governance. Many of the actions have now been completed, with further training and ongoing monitoring continuing as part of our commitment to lasting improvement.
We want to share these changes openly so that clients, families and people considering live-in care can understand what we have put in place and what these improvements mean for them.
Strengthening safeguarding
Safeguarding means protecting people from abuse, neglect and avoidable harm.
Our safeguarding procedures have been reviewed and strengthened. All carers complete safeguarding training and have access to clear guidance explaining how to recognise, record and report a concern.
Safeguarding is also discussed during staff inductions, supervision meetings and team meetings. Regular audits will help us check that these procedures continue to be followed and that any learning is shared across the team.
Our Registered Manager has completed advanced safeguarding training, providing additional knowledge and confidence when responding to and managing concerns.
Safer and more thorough recruitment
Families need to feel confident that the person coming into their home has been carefully selected and properly checked.
We have introduced a recruitment tracker, standardised interview and onboarding documents, and an additional audit before a new employee begins supporting a client.Our pre-employment checks include:
- A full employment history, including explanations for any gaps
- Disclosure and Barring Service checks
- Right to Work documentation
- References and, where appropriate, character references
- A review of previous conduct and employment information
- Final management checks and approval
A carer cannot begin working with a client until the required recruitment checks and documents have been reviewed and approved.
Developing knowledgeable and confident carers
Training is about more than completing an online course. Carers must also be able to demonstrate that they can put their knowledge into practice safely.
Our carers receive a structured induction, mandatory training, regular supervision, practical competency assessments and observations of their practice. Medication training now includes practical assessment, and additional practical training is continuing to be developed.
Training dates are monitored electronically so that refresher training can be arranged when it is due. Competency assessments and spot checks are planned at least every six months, or more frequently when additional support is needed.
Our Registered Manager has also completed the Level 3 Award in Education and Training and Medication Train the Trainer qualification. Practical Moving and Handling instructor training is in progress.
- Stronger checks and management oversight We have introduced regular audits covering areas such as:
- Safeguarding
- Recruitment and onboarding
- Staff training and competency
- Governance and record keeping
Audit findings are reviewed by management so that any gaps can be addressed promptly. This helps us identify risks, learn from experience and make improvements before small issues become bigger concerns.
An appropriate base for our service
Our new office has been registered with the Care Quality Commission, and our Statement of Purpose has been updated to reflect how Carinyo Care operates.
Although much of our work naturally takes place in our clients’ homes and local communities, the office provides an appropriate base from which to manage and oversee our live-in care service.
What this means for clients and families
- These improvements provide additional reassurance that:
- Carers are thoroughly checked before they begin work
- Staff receive appropriate training and practical assessment
- Safeguarding concerns are recognised and acted upon
- Care quality is regularly checked
- Managers have clearer oversight of the service
- Learning is used to support ongoing improvement
Our improvement work does not stop here. We will continue to audit our systems, listen to feedback and invest in the development of our team.
We remain committed to providing safe, effective and person-centred live-in care—supporting people to remain in their own homes with dignity, choice and greater independence.