Abacus Homecare (Bromley) Ltd, a small domiciliary care agency supporting five people, retained its Good rating across all five key questions at this planned inspection. Relatives, staff and professionals spoke positively about safe, person-centred care, robust recruitment, effective medicines management and a responsive, well-organised management team.
Strengths
· Robust recruitment checks including DBS, references and right to work verification before staff started work
· Safe medicines management with up to date training and competency assessments for staff
· Strong safeguarding systems with staff trained and aware of their reporting responsibilities
· Person-centred care with relatives reporting consistent, reliable visits and good communication
· Effective infection control with PPE provision and COVID-19/infection control training
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
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
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
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: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
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: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control; end of life care and supportGood
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
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering; Duty of CandourGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles; continuous learning and improving careGood