ABLE (Action for a Better Life) - 57 King Street

Updated 14 April 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was completed by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

ABLE (Action for a Better Life), 57 Kings Street is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. ABLE (Action for a Better Life), 57 Kings Street is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We looked at other information held about the service, this included previous inspection reports. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection.

We used this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke to 3 people, the registered manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We reviewed 5 care plans and risk assessments. We looked at records relating to the management of the service including recruitment and training records, audits, policies and health and safety records. After the site visit we spoke to a further 3 members of staff, 2 professionals who work with the service and 2 family members.

Updated 14 April 2023

About the service

ABLE (Action for a Better Life), 57 King Street is a care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 6 people who have long term mental health conditions. It is situated near the town centre of Melksham. At the time of our inspection there were 6 people living in the home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us that they liked living at King Street. They said they were able to make choices and felt listened to and respected.

Relatives told us that people were supported well and that the staff were “fantastic”

People had access to support from staff who knew them well and who worked in a person centred way.

Care plans for people were clear and reflected people’s needs. We were told that people were involved in developing and reviewing their plans.

The registered manager told us they worked closely with other professionals to ensure people’s needs were appropriately supported. This was reflected by the professionals we spoke to.

Staff received regular, appropriate training and used this in their practice.

Professionals told us that they felt the service worked in peoples best interests and the staff were creative when supporting people.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. We observed people speaking to staff and discussing things they would like to do.

At the time of the inspection food and drink was being kept in the office, people could come in and get what they needed at any time. The registered manager and staff recognised this was restrictive and they were working with other professionals to restart the usual routine of keeping food and drink in the kitchen.

Risks were managed well, however there was a window designated as a fire escape at the front of the house that did not have a window restrictor on it, we made a recommendation to speak to the fire brigade about this because of the risks it presented.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good, (published 13 February 2018)

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk