Archived: Absolute Care Services (Havering)

Updated 4 August 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 5 July 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 24 hours notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be available to support us with the inspection process. The inspection visit was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection, we checked some key information about the service and the provider which included notifications of any safeguarding or other incidents affecting the safety and wellbeing of people.

On the day of the inspection, we went to the provider's registered office and spoke with the registered manager and the office staff team. We also spoke with three support workers. We reviewed the care records for four people who used the service, the records of three members of staff and other records relating to the management of the service. After the inspection, we undertook telephone calls to four people who used the service and also spoke with three relatives to seek their views and about the service.

Updated 4 August 2017

This inspection took place on 5 July 2017 and was announced.

Absolute Care Service (Havering) is a domiciliary care agency, which provides personal care to people in their own homes who require support in order to remain independent. The office is located in Romford in Essex. At the time of our inspection, approximately 30 people were using the service, mainly for support with personal care.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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.

At the last comprehensive inspection on 4 August 2016, we identified two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. These related to a lack of sufficient risk assessments and guidance for staff about how to mitigate these and a lack of person centred support plans to meet people’s individual needs. After the comprehensive inspection, the provider wrote to us to say what they would do to meet legal requirements.

As part of this inspection, we checked if improvements had been made by the service in order to meet the legal requirements. We found that the service was now compliant in these areas.

Systems were in place to minimise risk and to ensure that people were supported as safely as possible. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to ensure people were safe and what to do if they suspected any abuse or had other concerns. They were confident that the registered manager would address these concerns.

Risk assessments were undertaken and staff knew what actions they needed to take to keep people safe and minimise any potential risk of accident and injury. People were protected by the provider's recruitment process, which ensured staff were suitable to work with people who need support.

Adequate staffing levels ensured that people received a consistent service from staff who they were familiar with, knew of people's individual circumstances and could meet their needs.

Appropriate systems were in place regarding medicines management so that people were supported to take their medicines as required.

Staff received induction training and the support they needed when they started work. This ensured that they did their job safely and provided support to people in the way they preferred. Staff told us that they had received training that was required to meet people's needs and to keep them safe.

People and their families were involved in making decisions about their care and how it was delivered. They told us that staff were caring and provided support in line with their individual needs and wishes.

People were supported and encouraged to make choices about all aspects of their care and support. Staff supported people, where required, to have drinks and meals that they enjoyed.

People were cared for and supported by staff who were kind and caring. Staff supported people to be as independent as possible.

The service had a system in place for receiving and responding to complaints. People who used the service and their relatives were aware of the complaints procedure and knew who to speak with if they had concerns.

Systems were in place to evaluate and monitor the quality of the service in order to make continuous improvements to the service. People, relatives and staff had confidence in the management team. They told us that the quality of service was good and that the management team were approachable and helpful.