Background to this inspection
Updated
16 December 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was completed by an inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service short notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure staff would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 15 November 2021 and ended on 23 November 2021. We visited the office location on 15 November 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We sought feedback from commissioners. We also reviewed notifications received from the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people’s relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with the registered manager.
We reviewed a range of records. These included three people’s care and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke with a further two people’s relatives. We spoke with three members of staff and received written feedback on the service from a further five staff.
We continued to seek clarification to validate evidence found and looked at records relating to the management of the service.
Updated
16 December 2021
About the service
Abounding Support & Care Ltd is a live-in care service which also provides domiciliary care. At the time of the inspection, they were supporting five people, four of whom received live-in care. The service can support both younger and older adults who may be living with dementia, a physical disability or a sensory impairment.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People’s relatives were positive about the care their loved ones received from staff, whom they felt provided good quality care.
The registered manager had not ensured staff’s responsibilities and role in relation to people’s medicines support was clearly documented within their care plan. Once this was brought to their attention, they took immediate action to rectify this. Staff had incorrectly stopped weekly testing for COVID-19 following their COVID-19 vaccinations, weekly testing has since re-started.
Staff had assessed potential risks to people and measures were in place to manage them. People were safeguarded and protected against the risk of abuse. There were sufficient staff to support people to stay safe and to meet their needs. The registered manager investigated any incidents to identify any improvements required.
People’s needs had been assessed and their care was planned to achieve effective outcomes. People were cared for by staff who had the required skills, knowledge and training. Staff supported people to eat and drink enough for their needs. Staff worked both together and across agencies to ensure people received effective care and their health needs were met.
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.
All staff treated people with kindness, respect and compassion. Staff involved people in decisions about their care as far as possible. Staff maintained people’s privacy and dignity during the provision of their care and promoted their independence.
People received personalised care which was responsive to their individual needs. Staff supported people at the end of their life as per their preferences. The provider had processes in place to listen and respond to any complaints or concerns raised.
The registered manager understood their role and responsibilities. They promoted a positive culture which was focused on achieving good outcomes for people. People and staff’s views on the service were regularly sought. Processes were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided and to identify areas for improvement. Staff worked in partnership with external agencies to provide peoples’ care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 23 March 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.