Archived: Apex Care Bristol

Updated 6 July 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was the first inspection of Apex Care Bristol and was completed on 15, 18 and 22 May 2015.

The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector.

Prior to the inspection we looked at the information we had about the service. This information included the statutory notifications that the provider had sent to CQC. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We had not asked for the Provider Information Record (PIR) to be submitted.

We contacted healthcare and social care professionals as part of our planning process and invited them to provide feedback on their experiences of working with the service. The comments we received have been included in the body of the report. We received a response back from three professionals.

During the inspection we visited three people in their own homes and also spoke with two live-in carers. We spoke with the relative of one other person. We met with the registered manager and care co-ordinator and spoke by telephone to the training manager and four live-in carers.

We looked at four care records, five staff recruitment files and training records, and other records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 6 July 2015

The inspection was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice that we were starting our inspection because we wanted key people to be available. The service was previously called Connect Care. This was the first inspection of this service since it was registered with new providers in June 2014.

Apex Care Bristol provides a ‘Live In Care’ service to people in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Bristol and Wales. They provide a service to suit the specific and individual needs of people with a diverse range of needs. They look after people living alone and also couples. The services provided range from companionship, assistance with housekeeping and support to people with mental/physical disabilities, frail, and elderly or are at the end of their life. At the time of the inspection the service was providing a service to 35 people.

There was a registered manager in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

People said they felt safe with the live-in carers who looked after them. The live-in carers received safeguarding adults training and were aware of safeguarding issues and their responsibilities to protect people from harm. Staff knew how to report any concerns. They were recruited following robust recruitment procedures. Management plans were put in place where risks had been identified in order to reduce or eliminate that risk.

People received the care and support they expected and had been involved in agreeing to. Live-in carers were knowledgeable about the people they looked after and received appropriate training and support to enable them to undertake their roles effectively. People were provided with sufficient meals and drinks and were supported to access health care services if needed.

People were looked after by a small number of Live-in carers (maximum of three) and had good relationships with the staff that supported them. People were treated with kindness and respect and were always included in making decisions about their daily lives.

Assessment and care planning processes ensured each person received the service they needed and met their individual needs. Their preferences and choices were respected. People were provided with copies of their plans, knew what service was provided and who was going to support them.

People and live-in carers said the service was well-led and they were encouraged to provide feedback. The quality and safety of the service was regularly monitored and used to make improvements. The service had a plan for making improvements.