CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Abilities Short Breaks - Preston Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, visiting arrangements, hygiene and managing outbreaks. The provider also said it had measures to reduce the risks linked to COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed or rated in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was a targeted inspection on 17 February 2022. It looked mainly at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19-related staffing pressures affected care. The visit was announced with one working day's notice.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, arranged testing, followed visiting guidance and had measures to prevent and manage infections. Staff had infection control training, and the home monitored their practice.
The home had enough personal protective equipment and kept its infection control policy up to date. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide an overall quality rating or ratings for most of the five areas.
Infection control policy
The home had an up-to-date infection control policy and procedures that were updated as government guidance changed.
“An up to date infection control policy was in place and there were standard operating procedures that were regularly updated in line with changes in government policy.” from the report
Staff training and monitoring
Staff were trained in COVID-19 precautions, hand washing and using protective equipment. The home checked staff practice and provided more training when needed.
“All staff had received training about COVID-19, hand washing and in the proper use and on donning and doffing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Visiting arrangements
The home followed visiting guidance and shared information with families about infections, visiting decisions and any restrictions.
“The service followed current government visiting guidance. There were arrangements to manage infection risks.” from the report
Supplies of protective equipment
The home was able to obtain enough suitable protective equipment to meet people's needs during the pandemic.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the service was able to reliably get hold of enough of the right PPE to meet people's needs.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control and visiting arrangements are in place now, and how are families told about changes?
- 02How do you check that staff are still using protective equipment and following infection control procedures correctly?
- 03How do you manage staffing pressures if staff are absent because of illness or infection?
- 04How do you arrange testing and manage possible infections or outbreaks?
- 05When was the home's infection control policy last reviewed and updated?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was not rated overall and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 April 2022 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.
What inspectors found, July 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a few records and follow-up actions to improve.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 7 June 2019. One inspector spoke with one person using the home, staff and managers. The inspector reviewed care and staff records, medicines, maintenance and quality checks, and later spoke with three relatives and a care professional.
The home provides short stays for up to three adults with learning disabilities. Inspectors found that people were safe, treated with respect and supported according to their needs, choices and communication styles. Medicines, staffing, recruitment, food, healthcare and the home environment were managed well.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Safe had improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection. The other four ratings remained Good.
Detailed risk planning
Risks such as choking, epilepsy, self-neglect and behaviours that challenged the service were recorded with guidance for staff. Inspectors said the records had improved since the previous inspection.
“At this inspection we found that improvements had been made and they were sufficiently detailed.” from the report
Personalised communication
Staff used pictures, computers, gestures and clear speech to help people communicate. Care records explained what people's signs, expressions and noises meant.
“each person's care record contained a communication section with information regarding how people communicated and what their expressions, signs and noises made by them meant.” from the report
Respectful care
Inspectors observed friendly and respectful interactions. Relatives said staff understood people's cultural, dietary and personal needs.
“Staff talked to the person using the service in a pleasant, respectful and friendly manner.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to take part in activities such as swimming, shopping and walks. Staff also encouraged everyday independence through simple household tasks.
“People were encouraged to be as independent as possible.” from the report
Safe medicines management
Medicines records showed that people received their medicines as prescribed, with secure storage and monthly audits.
“Medicines administration records (MAR) indicated that people received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Fire drill records
needs fixingFire alarm tests had been completed, but the records did not name the staff who attended. Management said names would be added in future so staff participation could be monitored.
“We however, noted that the fire alarm tests did not contain the names of staff who were present.” from the report
Mental Capacity Act training
needs fixingOne newly recruited staff member had not yet completed Mental Capacity Act training. Management said this would be arranged.
“One staff had not received training on the MCA.” from the report
Unanswered suggestions
minorTwo recent suggestions from relatives had not been responded to when inspectors visited. Management said it would contact the relatives and follow up.
“two suggestions made recently by relatives for improving the service had not been responded to.” from the report
- 01Have fire alarm test records been updated to show which staff took part in each drill?
- 02Has Mental Capacity Act training now been completed by all staff, including newly recruited staff?
- 03What happened to the two suggestions made by relatives, and how are suggestions now tracked and answered?
- 04How will you make sure care plans continue to reflect each person's communication methods, cultural needs and preferences?
- 05How are medicines audits and care records checked during each person's short stay?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering the home, the care provided and all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 July 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 Abilities Short Breaks - Preston Road
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Abilities Short Breaks - Preston Road →
- July 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Abilities Short Breaks - Preston Road →
- December 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 November 2015.
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.
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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Brent
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 £1,260 a week. 74 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“The quality of life that she's given my parents has been priceless. The peace of mind she's given my sisters and I, through a very difficult time, has been invaluable.”
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
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.