Abacus Care & Support

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. This is the first inspection since the service was registered. We rated this key question as Good. This meant that people were protected from harm and abuse. 

The culture of the service was about continually learning and improving. The management and staff were committed to learning and pushing the boundaries in terms of trying new things. Staff told us they were happy to try new ways of working and embraced the embedded learning culture. For example, when things went wrong, they reflected on what they could have done differently and any learning from the incident.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The culture of the service was about continually learning and improving. The management and staff were committed to learning and pushing the boundaries in terms of trying new things. Staff told us they were happy to try new ways of working and embraced the embedded learning culture. For example, when things went wrong, they reflected on what they could have done differently and any learning from the incident.

People were supported to transition through different services which meant they received care that was seamless and joined up. One family member told us about the future when their family member can move to a more independent home.

The service worked in partnership with other care providers and partners including the local authority, GP’s, opticians,’ pharmacies and occupational therapists to support people’s needs seamlessly.

People were protected from harm and or abuse by staff who had been trained in how to recognise potential abuse. Staff were able to describe different types of abuse, and described what they would do if they suspected any abuse. They had regular knowledge checks and staff completed safeguarding refresher training annually.The management team had a robust safeguarding reporting system and knew when they needed to make a referral and notify relevant partners including the local authority and the Care Quality Commission.   

 People participated in managing risks as far as possible and in the development of their care plans and any associated risk management plans. People were given information to help them make informed choices about what the risks were and how to minimise them to help keep people safe. For example, when going out in the community or participating in activities a full and robust risk assessment was completed. This helped reduce the risk of harm to both the person using the service and staff members.

People had individual risk assessments completed. This was usually completed prior to people moving into their homes. Risks were assessed in relation to the environment to help keep people safe. For example, they recorded information about electric, gas, and water supply, the environment they were working in, was the light and space adequate. People were able to enjoy the garden and had many activities to engage people like swings, small pools, and bouncy garden equipment.

People had individual risk assessments completed. This was usually completed prior to people moving into their homes. Risks were assessed in relation to the environment to help keep people safe. For example, they recorded information about electric, gas, and water supply, the environment they were working in, was the light and space adequate. People were able to enjoy the garden and had many activities to engage people like swings, small pools, and bouncy garden equipment.

People received care from a staff team that had been recruited using a robust recruitment and selection process. All staff confirmed the recruitment process was positive. There were various stages, and they were only offered the position when they had demonstrated they were the right person for the job. All staff had a disclosure and barring check [DBS] completed. This is a background check that employers use to verify an applicant's criminal history. All staff completed an induction which covered all mandatory training including moving and handling, the safe administration of medicines safeguarding people and infection control. Staff were also able to attend training in relation to any specialist requirements. Care packages were only accepted if there was enough capacity to meet the person’s needs at time that met their requirements.

People were supported by staff who had completed infection prevention and control training which helped minimise the risk and spread of infection. Staff were provided with personal protective equipment including gloves, aprons, hand sanitizer and face masks where required. Refresher training was available to all staff, so they kept updated when anything changed.

People were supported to take their prescribed medication by staff who had completed training in the safe administration of medicines.  In addition, to the training staff were observed administering medicines to check their competency. Staff completed regular refresher training which included the completion of medication administration records [MAR]. Staff were aware of how to report any concerns, for example if they had made an error. Staff told us they would report to the office or call 111 for advice and let family members know in case the person required additional monitoring.People’s medication was reviewed periodically to ensure the medication, dosage etc was still appropriate and required. This helped to ensure that people were not being over medicated or taking medication, they no longer required.