The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Accords

Burrow down Support Services Limited, Preston Down Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 1RN (01803) 527463

Provided and run by:
Burrow Down Support Services Limited

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

17 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We carried out the visit as part of our planned schedule of inspections. We visited all four properties where people received support from workers from Accords. We spent time with eight people but could only talk with two because they had very complex needs and were unable to speak with us, or they did not wish to speak with us. We observed different activities taking place at each service and noted how well people were being supported.

We telephoned four relatives but could only speak with two. We were told by one relative "X is supported to be very independent and now they can wash, prepare meals and enjoyed shopping trips out".

We made telephone contact with one professional who said "paperwork is very good" and "I have no issues at all".

We met with two team leaders and six members of staff who were happy to talk with us about their respective service. They all were complimentary about the support they received from the manager. One person said "I have progressed thanks to the training and support I received".

We found that all complaints were taken seriously, fully investigated with any actions seen as learning points for the provider.

We recognised that there were a number of systems for monitoring the quality of the service being delivered such as regular management visits, supervision, staff meetings and staff familiarisation with policies and procedures including the Safeguarding policy and procedure.

5 March 2013

During a routine inspection

Accords is a domiciliary care service that supports people with a learning disability in their own home. The support may be for personal care or to help them engage in activities in the community. The service supported around twenty people when we inspected them.

We visited a supported living house where people were receiving support from workers from Accords, and visited the main office to look at staff files, policies and procedures. We spoke with three people receiving a service from the agency and contacted two people's relatives by telephone to discuss the care they received.

One relative told us 'They support and motivate (my relative) very well. They involve him in making decisions and choices all the time. Some of the staff are exceptional at that. But all of them are very good.' Another relative told us 'We have no concerns at all for (our relative's) welfare. The staff have got it just right. They are very caring and we have every confidence in the agency.'

We found that improvements had been made to the medication management systems for staff. Staff were recruited and employed following full checks and they told us they were well trained and supported to care for people.

We found that complaints were managed well and that the service encouraged people to express their views and make comments to support improvement.

17 February 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with one person receiving domiciliary care and four relatives of people with learning disabilities who used the services of Accords. We also spoke with two visiting professionals about the service, and spoke with senior staff working for the organisation, as well as social care enablers employed by them.

People we spoke with told us they were happy with the services provided by Accords. We were told the organisation was good at problem solving and providing consistent care to people with significant support needs. We were also told that the organisation were good at following through with the care and support agreed.

One person we spoke with who received a service told us that they had regular carers to work with them and that they liked them. They told us that they had choices in the activities they followed. We heard evidence from other people that the organisation respected people's rights and would raise any concerns about potential abuse robustly.

Relatives that we spoke with told us that they were confident they would be able to tell from changes in people's behaviour if they were not happy with the support they were receiving. They told us they were usually able to contact the agency if they needed to and would feel free to raise any concern they had and feel confident it would be addressed.