All inspections: Ashford Care Agency - Care Quality Commission

We visited Ashford Care and looked at the care and welfare of people who used the service. During the inspection process we spoke with six people who used the service, one relative, four members of staff and the provider. We attempted to contact ten people and only five were available to talk to us.

All of the people we spoke with were very happy with the service. A person who used the service told us 'They are absolutely superb. Not a bad word to say about them.'

The provider had systems in place to ensure they worked with the consent of people who used the service. A person who used the service told us 'They always ask me what I want to eat or wear.'

Care and support was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people's safety and welfare. A person who used the service told us 'The whole family is involved in the care plan as it is a family package.'

The provider had systems in place to ensure that people who used the service were protected from the risk from abuse.

The provider had recruitment and selection processes in place. We noted that the provider had not obtained full employment histories for all staff and that not all gaps in the employment history were explained.

The provider had systems in place for assessing and monitoring the quality of the service.

The registered manager forwarded information we requested in regard to the updated care plans. These provided evidence that care plans had been reviewed and a care plan had been produced for one identified person.

Training certificates forwarded to us evidenced staff had received up to date training in regard to fire safety; medication and the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards. We were also sent four certificates that evidenced staff had attended training in regard to the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

The manager informed us that she was aware that Notifications must be forwarded to the Care Quality Commission.

We were told by the registered manager that twenty nine people were using the service.

We spoke with five people who used the service and two relatives.

Most people we spoke with had been using the service for a number of years. They told us that they were mainly treated with respect by the staff.

One person said, 'The staff look after me very well,' whilst another told us 'Staff are absolutely lovely.'

One person told us that a staff member was not always respectful and that care and support needs were not always met. The provider told us that more training and supervision would be immediately provided to address this shortfall.

Most of the people who used the service told us that they felt safe and secure with the staff and said that 'Staff were more like friends' and 'I know them very well.'

The majority of people commented that they had been supported by the same carers for a long time and that staff knew how to help them. One person told us that 'Staff have a lot of patience' and another person said 'We cannot fault the staff.'

People told us that they were happy with the care and support they received and that their needs were being met in all areas. They said that the staff treated them with respect, listened to them and supported them to raise any concerns they had about their care. People told us that the service responded to their health needs quickly and that the manager talked to them regularly about their plan of care and any changes that may be needed. Families spoken with said they were kept informed about their relative and any problems were dealt with quickly. They all said that staff treated their relative with respect and dignity.

Archived: Ashford Care Agency

All Inspections

6 March 2014

During a routine inspection

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

28 June and 4 July 2012

During a routine inspection

16 December 2011

During a routine inspection