Abounding Support & Care Ltd received an overall Good rating on its first inspection, with Safe rated Requires Improvement due to gaps in medicines care plan documentation, a lapse in COVID-19 staff testing, and unrecorded DBS update checks. The registered manager responded promptly to all issues raised, and the service demonstrated strong person-centred care, effective multi-agency working, and a positive organisational culture.
Concerns (6)
moderate
Medication management
— “People's care plans did not contain written information about their medicine support needs and risks, or instructions for the administration of medicines people took 'as needed'”
moderateInfection control — “The provider was not able to demonstrate staff had continuously accessed COVID-19 testing as per national guidance...the weekly staff testing had stopped”
moderateEnd-of-life care — “Staff had recently commenced care for two people reaching the end of their lives, however, they did not yet have a written end of life care plan in place.”
minorMedication management — “Staff recorded the application of creams for two people in their daily notes, but these were not included on their MAR, as per national guidance.”
minorRecord keeping — “Two staff's disclosure and barring service (DBS) certificates using the DBS update service prior to their appointment...these checks had not been recorded.”
minorCare planning — “Some people's care plans lacked sufficiently detailed information about their interests, personal history and how they liked to spend their time to inform staff.”
Strengths
· Relatives were consistently positive about care quality, describing staff as kind, caring and compassionate.
· Staff received thorough handovers for live-in care, ensuring awareness of risks and individual needs.
· Registered manager responded immediately to all issues raised during inspection.
· Staff worked collaboratively with external agencies including commissioners, GPs and occupational therapists.
· Electronic MAR system introduced to enable real-time oversight of medicines administration.
Quality-Statement breakdown (25)
safe: Using medicines safelyRequires improvement
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionRequires improvement
safe: Staffing and recruitmentRequires improvement
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
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 ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolationGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the 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 staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood