Archived: Absolute Healthcare Providers

We judged that this had a moderate impact on people who used the service and we told the provider to take action. The provider responded to us on the 22 February 2013 and advised us of the actions they would take to ensure that this regulation would be met.

During this inspection we found that people who use the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. We spoke with five care workers who demonstrated a good understanding of the signs of abuse and how to report their concerns.

We spoke with four people who used the service. People that we spoke with said that they had not had to make a complaint but knew how to do so. They said they were confident that staff would listen to their concerns and that their views would be taken seriously.

We saw that people's care records were kept securely in lockable filing cabinets in the office. Records contained appropriate information that met people's individual needs. This meant that people's personal records including medical records were accurate and fit for purpose.

On 3 January 2013 we also assessed that the provider was not meeting the outcome relating to safeguarding people and we set a compliance action. This inspection did not assess this area. We will complete a further unannounced inspection to assess this outcome.

We did not speak to people who used the service as part of this inspection. This was because the shortfalls we identified at the last inspection related to the systems the provider had to manage staff and assess the quality of the service. We were able to assess whether appropriate action had been taken without feedback from people who used the service.

We found that the provider had taken action to ensure staff were thoroughly checked before providing care to people. We saw that staff received suitable training and supervision. This meant people were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

The provider had developed an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received. We saw that improvements had been made where suggestions had been made by staff and people who used the service.

One person told us that 'The carers are brilliant, fantastic.' They said that staff always treated them with dignity and respect.

Two care plans viewed provided good assessment and planning to meet people's needs. All of the five people we spoke with said that they did have a care plan in their home and that the care provided was as discussed and agreed.

The majority of employment records, for staff who were providing care and support to people, did not contain the appropriate employment checks. This meant that the provider could not demonstrate that they were safeguarding people receiving a service.

We spoke to five staff who said they knew how to raise any concerns with adult services but not all staff had received training in safeguarding children and adults.

Training in a number of areas including moving and handling and medication had not been completed by all care staff which meant that they had not received the training necessary to meet the needs of people they were caring for.

There were inadequate systems to monitor the care provided and ensure people were protected against inappropriate or unsafe care.