6 December 2012
During a routine inspection
"Abacas is a lovely caring service. I always get the same carer except if there is a very good reason. The staff really help me with anything that is important to me. When they come, they are always on time and do over and above what is required of them. I have noticed that the manager or one of her staff visit to ask if I am happy with the service and to check that the girls (staff) are working well."
"I am very satisfied. I have the same carers. I really feel involved, they leave the care book here and I can see what they have been writing."
One relative of a person receiving care told us, "They (the staff) keep us involved and contact us if there is a change in care needs. We work well together and I have full confidence in the care staff and the agency. I would have no hesitation in contacting the office if I had a problem, I know they would do their best to sort out any problems quickly. Luckily this has not been necessary so far."
We saw that systems were in place to carry out 'spot checks' on staff to monitor their performance. We saw that staff training was prioritised by the agency and all the staff we spoke with told us there were plenty of training and development opportunities. This means that the provider was taking appropriate steps to ensure that staff were suitably qualified and had the right skill to meet the needs of the people they provided care and support to.