CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Abbey House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective safeguarding arrangements, safe recruitment, enough staff and clear risk assessments. Medicines were safely managed, including a new programme to support people to self-administer medicines.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training, supervision and appraisals. People's health, nutrition, rights and best-interest decisions were supported, although some capacity-record wording was unclear and was corrected during the inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Staff built trusting relationships and treated people with dignity and respect. They used creative communication methods and provided very personalised, compassionate support.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- People helped shape their care plans and activities. The home supported independence, education, work placements, hobbies, friendships and involvement in the local community.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found strong leadership, an open culture and robust quality checks. People, relatives and staff were regularly asked for their views, and feedback led to changes.
What inspectors found, February 2019
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally caring, responsive and well-led support, with safe and effective care rated Good.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 5 December 2018. Inspectors observed care, spoke with people, relatives, staff and professionals, and checked care records, medicines, staffing, recruitment and quality checks. A dental inspector also reviewed oral health support.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring, Responsive and Well-led were Outstanding. Safe and Effective were Good. Inspectors found kind, respectful support, strong communication, good safeguarding and medicines arrangements, enough trained staff, and effective support for health, nutrition and independence.
The home had improved from an overall Good rating at the previous inspection in January 2016. Inspectors noted that the home was registered for up to 13 people and was a more congregate setting than later best-practice guidance recommends, but it had been registered before that guidance was introduced.
Kind and respectful care
Staff built close, trusting relationships and supported people in a compassionate way. Inspectors saw a strong culture of dignity, equality and inclusion.
“The genuinely caring and inclusive culture at the service was outstanding.” from the report
Independence and confidence
People were supported to develop everyday skills, travel more independently and work towards personal goals. Positive risk-taking was used to help people lead fuller lives.
“The support people received stretched, challenged and motivated them.” from the report
Communication
Staff adapted communication to each person's needs, using pictures, photographs, signs, electronic devices and other tools.
“Staff used creative communication methods to engage with people to support them to express their views and make choices.” from the report
Community opportunities
People took part in education, work placements, voluntary work, sports, social activities and local groups linked to their interests.
“Very strong links were established with local networks and organisations.” from the report
Strong leadership
The home had an experienced manager, an open culture and systems that checked quality and acted on shortfalls. Staff said they felt valued and supported.
“The service was exceptionally well-led.” from the report
Clarity of some records
minorSome wording in mental capacity records was unclear. The report says this was addressed during the inspection.
“We noted the wording on some records was not clear and this was addressed during the inspection.” from the report
- 01How would you support my relative to build independence while managing their specific risks?
- 02How would you help my relative communicate their choices, worries and consent?
- 03How does the five-stage medicines self-administration programme work, and what level of support would my relative receive?
- 04How would you involve my relative and our family in care planning, reviews and decisions about future placements?
- 05How would you support my relative to take part in college, work, leisure and community activities?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, with a dental inspector also reviewing oral health support. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 February 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Abbey House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- February 2019Outstandingcurrent ratingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 November 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
12 live-in carers within about an hour of North East Lincolnshire
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,350 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“What truly stands out is how mindful and attentive she is to all of my medical needs, always going above and beyond to ensure I’m comfortable and well cared for.”
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.