Saxon Care Solutions Ltd (Trowbridge and Westbury)

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We assessed all of the quality statements in the safe key question.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People and their relatives told us action was taken to learn from incidents and make improvements. One relative commented, “We contacted the office and they got right on to it and rectified it.”

The registered manager told us staff were encouraged to share any concerns about ways of working. All incidents were recorded and where needed staff used reflective practice to review incidents and find improved ways of working. The registered manager said, “I want to be open and supportive with the team to help their learning. We like to have honest conversations.”

Incidents and accidents were recorded with actions taken. The senior management team reviewed incidents to identify any changes needed to prevent recurrence.

The registered manager told us senior members of staff were able to complete assessments prior to people starting their care packages. If people were coming out of hospital then staff tried to access discharge records to identify any changes of care needs.

People’s records demonstrated their needs were assessed before they started using the service. Assessments included details of the range of health and social care services the person used and arrangements to ensure the support was maintained.

People and their relatives told us they had received good support to set up their care package. Staff had worked with other services to ensure people received continuity of care, for example, liaising with existing care providers and community health services.

A quality assurance assessment by local authority commissioners found good systems to assess people’s needs, which ensured their needs could be met.

People told us they felt safe with carers from Saxon Care in their home. Comments included, “I feel safe with the care I’m getting.” A Relative commented, “My [relative] feels very safe and secure with the care.” People and their relatives had access to information about how to raise any concerns they might have.

The service had systems to make sure safeguarding incidents were recorded and reported to the local authority in a timely way. The registered manager kept a log of all incidents with outcomes to make sure all the required actions had been completed. The provider had a safeguarding policy which all staff had access to. Safeguarding training was provided to staff regularly and staff had opportunities to discuss safeguarding at meetings and during supervision.

Staff told us they had completed safeguarding training. Staff were clear about how to report any alleged abuse and they were aware of the whistleblowing policy and process. Staff were confident the registered manager would take action if they reported concerns.

People told us they were involved in reviewing their risk management plans to help keep them safe. People told us staff followed these plans and said they felt safe.

People had risk assessments and risk management plans, which set out the support they needed to stay safe. The plans had been regularly reviewed with people and their relatives to ensure the measures in place were up to date.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding people’s risk management plans and the support they needed to stay safe. Staff said they felt risks were well managed in the service and prompt action was taken when new risks were identified.

Staff assessed people’s environment prior to care packages starting. A senior member of the team usually carried out the first visit to people to make sure safety measures were accurate. Systems were in place to make sure contact was made with healthcare professionals for advice or guidance on using any equipment safely.

Staff liaised with local professionals to make sure people had the equipment they needed. The registered manager told us they would not put people or staff at risk by agreeing to care packages where equipment was not ready.

People and their relatives told us staff knew how to safely use any equipment they needed.

The registered manager told us numbers of staff had dipped in 2023 but a successful recruitment campaign had taken place. Care staff numbers had grown which meant the service had been able to take on more care packages. Staff said they had regular support meetings with their supervisor and an annual appraisal. Staff confirmed they had completed employment checks before they started work and told us they had completed training necessary for their role.

Required pre-employment checks had been completed for staff before starting work. This included a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). New staff received an induction, which included training and shadowing experienced staff. Records demonstrated staff had regular supervision sessions. The registered manager had a record of training staff had completed and a system to plan when refresher courses were needed.

People told us staff had the right skills and knowledge to meet their needs. People said staff usually arrived on time and stayed the full duration of their scheduled call. Comments included, “The carers know what they are doing in my care, are well trained and understand what I need.”

The provider had an infection prevention and control policy, which was regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current guidance. The management team completed spot checks of staff, to ensure they were putting the procedures and their training into practice.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of infection prevention and control processes they should follow and said they had received training. Staff said they never had any problems obtaining the personal protective equipment they needed.

People and their relatives told us staff followed good infection control measures. Comments included, “They always clean up after their work and wear all the PPE (personal protective equipment)” and “Hygiene standards are very positive.”

People told us staff provided good support for them to take medicines when needed.

People’s care plans contained clear information about the support they needed with medicines. Staff maintained accurate records of the medicines people had been supported to take.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the medicines procedures and said the systems worked well. Staff said they had completed training and their competency to support people with medicines was regularly assessed by the management team.