Abbeyfield House

Abbeyfield House provides residential care for up to seven individuals with complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities. This inspection report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) offers an overview of the service's performance across key areas. While the home has strengths, particularly in how it supports residents' daily lives and personal well-being, some aspects require attention to ensure consistent high standards. The report details findings from an unannounced visit on 6th December 2023.

On safety, while residents felt safe and staff knew them well, there were concerns regarding environmental safety, such as unsecured furniture and ripped carpets. Medicine storage and record-keeping also needed improvement, and systems for monitoring and acting on safety issues were not always effective, leading to a breach of regulations.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' outcomes were consistently good, with well-planned care that met their needs and preferences. Staff generally had a good understanding of residents' needs, though there was a need to ensure all mandatory training, particularly for supporting autistic people and those with learning disabilities, was up-to-date and consistently accessed by staff.

The service is described as caring, with staff treating residents kindly, with compassion, and respecting their dignity and independence. Residents were actively involved in decision-making about their care, and their privacy was consistently respected. Feedback from relatives highlighted the dedication and knowledge of the permanent staff team.

Regarding how responsive the service is, people's needs were met through good organisation and delivery of care. Care plans were personalised and contained detailed information to guide staff, with the service progressing towards an electronic system to enhance this further. Communication needs were well considered, with staff using various methods to ensure effective interaction and respecting residents' preferences.

Finally, in terms of how well-led the service is, while the management team was responsive to feedback and committed to improvement, oversight systems for monitoring quality and safety were not always effective in ensuring timely action. This, along with gaps in staff training and supervision records, contributed to areas requiring improvement in leadership and management practices.