We carried out a review of the data available to us about Abide Home Care on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Abide Home Care, you can give feedback on this service.
Abide Home Care Ltd (thereafter referred to as Abide Home Care) is a domiciliary care service, which provides care and support to people living in their own homes. The service provides support to older adults. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection there were 59 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe. Staff knew what actions to take to protect people from the risk of avoidable harm and had received safeguarding training. Robust recruitment processes were established, and staff competency was checked to ensure people received safe care. Staff followed infection control guidance and had access to personal protective equipment.
Care records were completed in conjunction with people and their relatives and, risk assessments were reflective of people’s needs. Medicine administration records were up to date to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed. People told us they were supported by staff who were kind and caring. People felt engaged in all aspects of their care and said they felt assured that any complaint or concern would be handled by the management team appropriately.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Audits and checks were embedded into staff practice to oversee the quality of care provided. People were asked for their feedback about the quality of service and this was used to make improvements.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection.
The last rating for the service at the previous premises was good, published on 20/12/2017.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
Abide Home Care is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to older adults. Not everyone using Abide Home Care receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being 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. At the time of this inspection 16 people were receiving personal care from the service. People who use the service live in Brixham and the surrounding areas.
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were happy with the way staff supported them. Each person and relative we spoke with told us care staff were kind, caring and compassionate. Comments included, “I cannot fault my carers, they are marvellous”, “Care is in their name and actions” and “It’s always a pleasure to see them.”
All staff told us they enjoyed their role and were passionate about achieving high quality care for each person. People told us staff were always respectful and polite. Staff said, "It could be me, I give the care that I would want” and “It’s really rewarding.” A healthcare professional told us, “The staff themselves are very patient and empathic.”
People told us they felt safe and comfortable when staff were in their home and when they received care. People were provided with a copy of the staff rota so they knew who was due to visit them. Staff knew how to recognise signs of potential abuse and understood how to report any concerns in line with the service's safeguarding policy.
Safe staff recruitment procedures were in place. This helped reduce the risk of the provider employing a person who may be unsuitable to work in care. People told us staff knew how to meet their needs. People commented, “Everything I need they do for me”; “They do whatever I want” and “They’re wonderful, every one of them.” Staff told us they were happy with the training they received. Staff told us they felt well supported and had regular opportunities to discuss their work.
Staff knew people well and were able to tell us how they supported people. Care plans were developed with each person. They described the support the person needed to manage their day to day health needs. People’s communication needs were met. The service was complying with the Accessible Information Standard (AIS). The AIS applies to people using the service who have information and communication needs relating to a disability, impairment or sensory loss. Staff explained how one person was able to use their tablet to communicate by typing what they wanted to say. This ensured the person was able to communicate with staff and their needs were met in the way they wanted. At the time of our inspection, each person had capacity to make decisions relating to their care. Staff told us they gained consent from people before carrying out personal care and respected people's choices.
Risks had been assessed for each person and were safely managed. Risk assessments had been carried out in relation to falls, nutrition, skin care, and mobility. Risk assessments relating to each person's home environment had been completed. Where concerns were identified, action had been taken to reduce the risks to people. People were supported safely with their medicines and told us they were happy with the support they received. Staff completed medication administration record (MAR) sheets after giving people their medicines. The MAR sheets were audited to ensure people had received their medicines as prescribed to promote good health.
The service sought regular feedback. People told us they were asked for feedback over the phone, during visits and care plan reviews. People and their relatives felt able to raise concerns or make a complaint. They were confident their concerns would be taken seriously. People told us they didn't have any complaints. Comments included, "I haven’t got any worries” and “I can’t fault them. [Name of registered manager] always insists I phone if there are any issues.”
People told us the management were approachable and they were happy with the service. Comments included, "This is a first class care agency and I couldn’t wish for better”; “I’m very pleased with the service and “[Manager’s name] went above and beyond her role as director and was always available to answer any questions and concerns.” Staff told us they found the management team approachable and supportive. They told us they received regular support and advice via phone calls and during face to face meetings. They said, “I’m loving it”; “I have a great boss and feel really supported” and “It’s really well set up.”
The provider and registered manager were keen to develop and improve the service. They kept up-to-date with best practice by accessing professional websites. They met up with other care providers at local network meetings to keep up-to-date with good practice and find out what was happening in the care profession. The registered manager had worked in partnership with healthcare professionals to ensure ‘joined up’ care was delivered to people. This meant people benefited from high quality care and improved outcomes. The registered manager told us they planned to make further improvements to care plans and training in the next 12 months. Records were well organised and up-to-date. An audit system was in place to monitor the quality of the service. Checks to observe staff's competency were carried out on a regular basis.