Ali Gibson Support Limited received a Good rating across all five key questions on its first CQC inspection in October 2022, with people and relatives consistently praising the kindness, reliability and person-centred approach of staff. Minor improvements were identified in recruitment record-keeping, bed rail risk assessments, late-visit communication, and formalising feedback mechanisms, but none constituted regulatory breaches.
Concerns (4)
minor
Care planning
: “Risks associated with the use of bed rails had not been thoroughly assessed to ensure it was safe for staff to use them.”
minorRecord keeping: “They had not always ensured a full work history was obtained from each staff member. The manager agreed to address this.”
minorCommunication with families: “Some people told us that if staff were running late they were not always informed in advance.”
minorGovernance: “We advised the provider to consider how they could implement additional, structured methods of obtaining and analysing feedback about the service.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and received consistent care from a familiar staff team, with comments such as 'I feel safe and get the same staff coming to support me.'
· Medicines were managed safely with clear care plan guidance, trained staff and competency reviews in place.
· Staff were kind, caring and treated people with dignity and respect; people and relatives were universally complimentary.
· The service was flexible and responsive to changing needs, with personalised care plans and person-centred delivery.
· Strong staff morale and a positive, open culture, with management accessible at all levels.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
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 care; Supporting people to live healthier livesGood
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: 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: 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: Working in partnership with othersGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood