Ayrshire Care Solutions Housing Support Service, based on Auchinleck Main Street, has made “significant progress” following a previous critical report, according to the Care Inspectorate.
The service, which provides care at home and housing support for people living in their own homes, was previously graded ‘weak’ across two quality indicators and ‘adequate’ across one other. At the time of the latest inspection, the service supported 62 people.
Previous concerns raised
In the earlier report, the Care Inspectorate highlighted “inconsistencies” in how care was delivered, with some people “did not always experience the same level of safe and well-coordinated support.” Improvements were “needed” in medication management, adult protection, and the management of incidents and concerns to ensure risks were “identified and responded to consistently.”
Leadership and quality assurance systems were “not always effective” in identifying issues, taking timely action, and driving sustained improvement. Safer recruitment practices were in place, in part, but were “not consistently followed” or “clearly evidenced,” which reduced assurance that all staff had been appropriately vetted.
Follow-up review findings
Officials from the Care Inspectorate have since returned to carry out a follow-up review and have now graded the service ‘adequate’ across three of their quality indicators. Among the key messages from the latest report, the Care Inspectorate said the service had made “significant progress” and all outstanding requirements “were met.”
Leadership and management oversight had “strengthened,” providing “greater assurance” regarding the quality and safety of care. Medication management arrangements had “improved significantly” through effective auditing, competency assessments, and management oversight.
Systems for managing incidents, adult protection concerns, and notifications were “more robust” and supported “safer outcomes” for people. Quality assurance and governance systems were also “driving improvement across the service,” although further embedding is “needed.”
The service has now been given a fresh grading of ‘adequate’ in the quality indicators relating to leadership, supporting people’s wellbeing, and the staff team.
