Background to this inspection
Updated
22 November 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 – Tolcarne Avenue 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.
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 one person using the service and one relative of a person using the service to gain their views about the care received. We spoke with two care staff and the registered manager. We reviewed the care plans and other associated records for three 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
22 November 2019
About the service
ABI Homes – Tolcarne Avenue, is a small residential care home providing personal care to 3 people with learning disabilities and autism.
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 continued to receive safe care, and staff we spoke with understood safeguarding procedures and how to raise concerns. Staff were confident that management took appropriate actions 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.
Staff 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.
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 with food and drink were understood and respected by staff.
Healthcare needs were met, and people had regular access to health and social care professionals as required. People's consent was gained before any care was provided. 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.
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 achieving good outcomes for people.
Care plans reflected people likes, dislikes and preferences. People were involved in activities that were tailored to them.
People and their family were involved in their own care planning as much as was possible. A complaints system was in place and was used effectively.
The manager was open and honest, and worked in partnership with outside agencies to improve people’s support when required.
Audits of the service were detailed and any issues found were addressed promptly. The service had a registered manager in place, and staff felt well supported by them.
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, (published 31 May 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.