Archived: a-2-e

Updated 2 June 2018

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 to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a comprehensive inspection, which took place on 20 March 2018. The inspection was announced and carried out by one inspector. We gave the service 48 hours notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a domiciliary care service for adults who are often out during the day.

We used information we held about the service and the provider to assist us to plan the inspection. This included notifications the provider had sent to us about significant events at the service. As part of our planning, we reviewed information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with people who used the service and a relative. We received completed survey questionnaire returns about the service from four care staff, the provider’s staff training and development manager and one community professional. We also spoke with the provider who was also the registered manager for the service. We looked at people’s care records to see if they were accurately maintained. We looked at three staff files to check how they were recruited. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service. This included staff training and supervision records and management checks of service quality and safety.

Updated 2 June 2018

a-2-e is a domiciliary and supported living service providing personal care to vulnerable adults in their own home or local community. The service’s main office is located in the village of Edwinstowe and provides level access.

At our last inspection we rated the service as Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring of the service that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People continued to receive safe, least restrictive care and support. The provider’s staffing and risk management arrangements for people’s care, helped to ensure this. People were consistently supported by staff, to manage their behaviour and take their medicines safely when required.

People continued to receive effective care from staff who were trained and supported to help ensure this. People were supported to access external health professionals when they needed to. Staff followed their instructions for people’s care and any related personal care plans, to enable people to maintain or improve their health when needed. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People continued to receive care from staff who were kind and caring. Staff knew people well and supported them to maintain their relationships with family and friends. People’s received care in a way that consistently helped to ensure their dignity and rights. Staff understood and followed what was important to people for their care and individual choices, daily living routines and lifestyle preferences.

People continued to receive timely, individualised care, which was agreed and regularly reviewed with them or their representatives when required. Staff knew how to communicate with people in the way they understood. People were supported to engage in community life and to participate in activities they enjoyed. This was done in a way which helped to promote people’s inclusion and independence. People were informed and supported to raise any concerns or to make a complaint about their care if they needed to. The provider listened and acted on what people said to help determine and make care improvements when required.

The service continued to be well led. The provider continually operated comprehensive management, communication and staff support measures to ensure the quality and safety of people’s care. Staff understood and followed their role and responsibilities, which helped to ensure people received safe and effective care. Records relating to care provision and the management of the service were accurately maintained and securely stored. The provider continuously sought to improve the service against nationally recognised guidance and practice standards concerned with people’s care.

Further information is in the detailed findings below