16 February 2016
During a routine inspection
Able Care is a care agency who provides a domiciliary care service and an introductory service for self-employed carers, who offer a live in care service. This inspection only relates to the domiciliary care element of the care agency. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate self- employed care.
At the time of this inspection the service was supporting four people, three with a night sitting services and one with a day sitting service. During these periods support with personal care and meals maybe required.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were supported by staff who demonstrated the skills and knowledge required to perform in their role. They had been safely recruited.
Staff demonstrated they understood how to prevent and protect people from the risk of abuse. The service had procedures in place to report any safeguarding concerns that could arise and staff understood these. Staff had knowledge of how to report incidents of suspected abuse. People and staff were protected from harm as the service had identified and assessed any risks to them and reviewed these on a regular basis. Risk assessments were individual to the person and their environment.
Staff did not administer prescribed medication.
Staff had not attended recent training relevant to their role; the manager undertook to address this immediately.
People benefited from staff who felt valued by the service and were happy in their work. They had confidence in the management team.
Staff demonstrated that they understood the importance of promoting people’s dignity, privacy and independence. They gave examples of a caring and empathetic approach to the people they supported.
The CQC is required to monitor the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and report on what we find. Staff were aware of the MCA and demonstrated they understood the importance of gaining people’s consent before assisting them.
People’s needs had been assessed prior to them receiving a service. People received individualised one to one care. The service regularly reviewed people’s needs.
Staff assisted people, where necessary, to access healthcare services. Staff had a good understanding of people’s healthcare needs and demonstrated they had the knowledge to manage emergency situations should they arise.
The management team demonstrated an inclusive approach to the management of the service and people had confidence in them. They were supportive and accessible to people’s advocates and members of staff.