Mary Ruth Care is a domiciliary care agency registered to provide personal care. The agency provides support with personal care, domestic tasks and companionship. The agency office is based in Barnsley. Support is currently provided to people living in their own homes in the Norton area of Sheffield. At the time of this inspection eight people were receiving support and four care workers were employed.

There was a manager at the service who was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Mary Ruth Care was registered with CQC in June 2016. The registered manager told us the service started supporting people in July 2018. This was the service's first inspection.

People spoke very positively about the support provided to them. They told us they felt safe and their support workers were respectful and kind. People told us they received a consistent and reliable service that met their needs. People said support was provided from staff they knew.

We found there were systems in place to protect people from the risk of harm. Staff we spoke with could explain the procedures to follow should an allegation of abuse be made.

Assessments identified risks to people, and management plans to reduce the risks were in place to ensure people's safety.

There were appropriate numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The registered provider’s policies and systems supported this practice. People had consented to receiving care and support from Mary Ruth Care.

People were supported to maintain a healthy diet, which took into account their culture, needs and preferences, so their health was promoted and choices could be respected.

Staff knew the people they supported well. People’s privacy and dignity was respected and promoted. Staff understood how to support people in a sensitive way.

People said they could speak with their support workers or the registered manager if they had any worries or concerns and they would be listened to.

Quality assurance systems were in operation to monitor the service.