Ethicare

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

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

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.

The service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Accidents and incidents were analysed and feedback and service improvement opportunities were discussed with staff at regular quality meetings.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. People's health conditions were clearly documented and people were supported to access a range of health care professionals when required.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act. Safeguarding and whistle-blowing policies were in place which enabled the service to share concerns quickly and appropriately. A member of staff told us, “I have access to the organisation's safeguarding policies, which outline procedures for reporting concerns and ensuring the safety and well-being of service users. I have read and understood these policies and I am aware of my responsibilities in relation to safeguarding within my role.”

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. People and their families were involved in developing their care plans and care was personalised to their individual needs.

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Electronic call monitoring systems were used to ensure that people received care on time and that staff stayed for the duration of call. A local health and social care professional told us, “[Carers] arrive on time most days or will let [person] know if they are going to be a bit late. [Carers] have never missed a call and always stay for the full duration.”

The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. People felt safe with the people that supported them. Staff recognised the importance of good staffing and felt able to report any staffing concerns, stating “Adequate staffing levels are crucial for providing high-quality care. While staffing levels may fluctuate, it's essential to ensure sufficient staff to meet service users' needs.”

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. Staff told us there were sufficient amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) and they knew how to use it appropriately. A staff member told us, “We have learnt about understanding infections and how they spread. We were taught hygiene practices and the use of PPE to reduce the risk of cross contamination and infections.”

The service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened. People received their medications safely from staff who had completed training and had access to support.