The Robert Atkinson Centre

Updated 13 June 2024

The Robert Atkinson is registered to provide personal care to individuals living in their own homes and they primarily offer services to older people. 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. The service was specifically set up to deliver support for the local BME communities. At the time of the inspection 24 people were using the service who received personal care. We carried out an onsite and offsite assessment. Activity started on 9 July and ended on 5 September 2024. We gathered information from people using the service, relatives, the provider who is also the registered manager, office staff, care workers and from visiting professionals. We looked at 21 quality statements. At the last inspection appropriate recruitment checks were not followed and the systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service were ineffective. Enough improvement had been made at this inspection and the provider was no longer in breach of regulation 12 and 17. The provider had employed a company to assist them improve the governance systems. Immigration service staff had visited the service to check safe recruitment arrangements were in place. The provider had worked with a legal team to ensure they followed sponsorship scheme requirements. Staff understood people's needs and how to manage any presenting risks. The registered manager as a part of their lessons learnt process was reviewing risk assessment to ensure where people had complex needs, staff had very detailed guidance to follow. Staff worked with people to design care packages, which met their needs and were achievable within the set timeframe. Staff sought people’s views about how to support them. Overall staff felt their views were listened to and their well-being was promoted.

Updated 13 June 2024

An expert by experience contacted people and relatives via the telephone and inspectors met people who used the service at the Thumhara Centre (which is where the service’s office is located). People said staff were kind and friendly; and felt safe with the care staff. They told us care package met their needs. Where staff managed any aspect of medicine administration people said this was well managed. No concerns were raised about the usage of PPE. They made positive comments about the skills and knowledge of the carers. Generally, relatives felt their loved one's care was good and personalised to their needs. Relatives found the management team were approachable. A relative said, “They [the staff] do everything fantastically. The care staff are competent and confident enough to do their job. They know [person’s name] dietary requirements and other needs.” People felt they were fully involved in designing how their care and support was delivered. People and families said they were kept well informed. People felt their views were closely listened to and their suggestions acted upon. People said the registered manager and office staff were very approachable and ensured care was delivered in a person-centred manner. A person said, “The service is excellent. I always speak to [registered manager] about everything. I can easily change the call timings if I have appointments and my care plan.”