The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Abacus Homecare

16 Shelley Rise, Dukinfield, Cheshire, SK16 5EF (0161) 338 8250

Provided and run by:
Mr Lee Sheridan and Mrs Michelle Sheridan

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

All Inspections

6 December 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with people who used the agency. Comments made by people included:

"Abacas is a lovely caring service. I always get the same carer except if there is a very good reason. The staff really help me with anything that is important to me. When they come, they are always on time and do over and above what is required of them. I have noticed that the manager or one of her staff visit to ask if I am happy with the service and to check that the girls (staff) are working well."

"I am very satisfied. I have the same carers. I really feel involved, they leave the care book here and I can see what they have been writing."

One relative of a person receiving care told us, "They (the staff) keep us involved and contact us if there is a change in care needs. We work well together and I have full confidence in the care staff and the agency. I would have no hesitation in contacting the office if I had a problem, I know they would do their best to sort out any problems quickly. Luckily this has not been necessary so far."

We saw that systems were in place to carry out 'spot checks' on staff to monitor their performance. We saw that staff training was prioritised by the agency and all the staff we spoke with told us there were plenty of training and development opportunities. This means that the provider was taking appropriate steps to ensure that staff were suitably qualified and had the right skill to meet the needs of the people they provided care and support to.

2 November 2011

During a routine inspection

We spoke with a number of people who use the services of Abacus Homecare. All of them were positive and were highly complimentary about the way in which the service provided personal care and support. They told us that they were involved with decisions about their care and that at all times the staff team treated them with respect and that they helped them to maintain their dignity and privacy.

All of the people we spoke with told us that they felt their individual care needs were met. They said, "This is an excellent service, I just can't fault it. Nothing is too much trouble. The staff sometimes stay over their time". Another person said that she felt confident with the staff team and that they always seemed to know what they were doing. She told us that she was very happy with the continuity of service and that she always had the same carers. She said, " The carers come on time, but if they are going to be a little bit late, someone from the office always phones me, very good communication".

All the people we spoke with told us that the manager kept in regular contact with them and that they were frequently asked for their views and opinions about the service.

People consistently told us that the staff listened to their views and how they wanted to be supported. One person said, " It has been such a relief to have an agency that works with me and listen to what I want. It is a very flexible service".