Allways Care Community Support Agency received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first inspection following re-registration as a limited company in September 2016. The service demonstrated safe, person-centred care with effective governance, strong leadership, and no identified failures or regulatory breaches.
Strengths
· Staff demonstrated clear knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the 'seven steps to safety' framework, with no concerns raised about abuse or harm.
· Robust safe recruitment process including DBS checks and employment references, with no use of agency or bank staff to fill gaps.
· Medicines were managed safely, with people assisted at the right time and in the right way, and no shortages reported.
· Structured induction aligned to the Care Certificate, including shadowing, hands-on training, and competency assessments before independent working.
· Staff received regular refresher training, supervision, appraisals, and access to nationally recognised qualifications.
Allways Care Community Support Agency retained its Good rating across all five key questions at its July 2019 inspection, with people consistently reporting kind, reliable, and person-centred care. Minor record-keeping and governance gaps were identified and promptly addressed by the registered manager during and after the inspection.
Concerns (4)
minorRecord keeping: “the risks and actions agreed with the person had not been fully reflected in the persons care records. The registered manager immediately recognised the need to update the information.”
minorRecord keeping: “there were no consistently maintained records of the meetings to show any agreed actions taken, forward planning and service developments.”
minorGovernance: “the complaints policy did not include up to date information about the local government ombudsman. When we raised this with the registered manager they took immediate action to update the information.”
minorStaff competency: “the registered manager responded quickly to information we highlighted regarding obtaining references during the recruitment process for two new staff members as some of the reference requests had not been responded to.”
Strengths
· People consistently felt safe and reported reliable, continuity of care from a consistent staff team.
· Staff received structured induction, nationally recognised training, and ongoing competency checks including for medicines administration.
· Strong safeguarding awareness with staff able to identify and report concerns internally and externally.
· People and relatives were actively involved in care planning and reviews, with care plans regularly updated.
· Positive relationships maintained with external health and social care professionals.
Quality-Statement breakdown (21)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to meet people's needs, preferences, interests and give them choice and controlGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Planning and promoting person-centred, high-quality care and support with openness; duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; working in partnership with othersGood