Archived: Abilities Short Breaks - Respite & Residential

Updated 7 July 2017

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, to look at the overall quality of the service and provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector. Before we visited the home we checked the information we held about the service and the service provider including notifications and incidents affecting the safety and well-being of people. No concerns had been raised.

There were four people using the service. All the people had learning disabilities and could not always communicate with us and tell us what they thought about the service. Because of this, we spent time at the home observing the experience of the people and their care, how the staff interacted with people and how they supported people during the day.

We spoke with two relatives, two care workers, the manager and registered manager. We reviewed four people’s care plans, five staff files, training records and records relating to the management of the service such as audits, policies and procedures.

Updated 7 July 2017

We undertook an unannounced inspection on 13 June 2017 of Abilities Short Breaks - Respite & Residential. Abilities Short Breaks - Respite & Residential is a small care home registered to provide accommodation for persons who require personal care for a maximum of four people with learning disabilities. The home is owned and managed by Abilities Development Limited who provide a similar service in one other care home in North West London.

At the time of the inspection, the service was providing care and supporting four people.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’ Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At our last inspection on 7 April 2016, the service did not meet Regulations 15 and 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We found the premises were not secure and properly maintained and complete and contemporaneous records were not maintained in relation to the care and treatment provided to people using the service. This meant the quality rating we awarded was requires improvement.

After the inspection, we received an action plan from the service telling us what action they would take to meet legal requirements.

At this inspection the registered manager was able to demonstrate that measures had been put in place since the last inspection to respond to the issues identified. The premises had been maintained. Care plans had been updated. and clearly detailed the support people needed and received with all areas of their care. Care plans were reviewed and were updated when people's needs changed.

Relatives told us that they were confident that people were safe in the home.

Systems and processes were in place to help protect people from the risk of harm. Staff had received training in safeguarding adults and knew how to recognise and report any concerns or allegations of abuse.

Systems were in place to make sure people received their medicines safely. Arrangements were in place for the recording of medicines received into the home and for their storage, administration and disposal.

Bedrooms had been personalised with people's belongings to assist people to feel at home.

Staff had been carefully recruited and provided with induction and training to enable them to support people effectively. They had the necessary support, supervision and appraisals from management.

Staff we spoke with had an understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005). Capacity to make specific decisions was recorded in people's care plans.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The home had made necessary applications for DoLS as it was recognised that there were areas of the person’s care in which the person’s liberties were being deprived. Records showed that the relevant authorisations had been granted and were in place.

There were suitable arrangements for the provision of food to ensure that people's dietary needs were met.

Staff were informed of changes occurring within the home through daily handovers and staff meetings. Staff told us that they received up to date information and had an opportunity to share good practice and any concerns they had at these meetings.

There was a management structure in place with a team of care workers, manager and registered manager. Staff spoke positively about working at the home. There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service.