Background to this inspection
Updated
11 December 2019
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 carried out by one inspector
Service and service type
ABI Homes – Dyers Mews is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
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. The registered manager was not available on the day of the inspection, however we spoke with them via phone after the inspection to gain further feedback.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
Not everyone using the service was able to share their views with us. We spoke with two people using the service and two relatives of people using the service to gain their views about the care received. We spoke with two care staff, the deputy manager and the operational manager. We reviewed the care plans and other associated records for four people using the service. We looked at other records in relation to the management of the service, these included staff recruitment files, staff training records, key policies and procedures and quality assurance systems and processes.
Updated
11 December 2019
About the service
ABI Homes – Dyers Mews, is a small residential care home providing personal care to up to 6 people with learning disabilities and autism. At the time of inspection, 5 people were living at the service.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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; however, the relevant documents and procedures had not always been followed to support this practice. We found that one person did not have a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) procedure applied for, when aspects of their care were restrictive, in order to keep them safe.
Mental capacity assessments had been carried out to ensure people’s capacity was assessed and they could be as involved in their own care and decision making as much as possible. However, these assessments were not always clear, and contained conflicting information.
Audits were carried out across all areas of the service, but they were not always effective at finding fault and highlighting improvements needed. Errors and omissions with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) assessments and DoLS procedures were not identified by audits.
People received safe care from a staff team who understood safeguarding procedures and were confident in raising concerns if needed. Staff told us that management took appropriate actions to safeguard people.
Risk assessments were in place to manage risks within people’s lives. This included positive behaviour plans for supporting people who may display behaviour which challenges. Staff were confident in supporting people in this area.
Safe recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out, and staffing support matched the level of assessed needs within the service during our inspection. This included staffing people on a one to one basis at various times.
Medicines were stored and administered safely. Staff were trained to support people effectively and were supervised well and felt confident in their roles. People were able to choose the food and drink they wanted, and staff encouraged healthy options. Cultural requirements were understood and respected by staff.
Healthcare needs were met, and people had regular access to health and social care professionals as required.
Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them. Care was personalised to each individual, and staff were passionate about supporting people to achieve independence where they could, and live full lives.
Care plans reflected people likes, dislikes and preferences. People were involved in activities that were important to them.
People and their family were involved in their own care planning as much as possible. An effective complaints system was in place.
The management team was open and honest, and worked in partnership with outside agencies to improve people’s support when required.
The service had a registered manager in place, and staff felt well supported by them and the wider management team.
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 this service was Good, (14 July 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.