Eleada Care Services

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 newly registered 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.

There were systems to learn when things went wrong. The provider had procedures to follow in the event of accidents and incidents. These included keeping records of the event, investigating what went wrong and sharing learning from these with staff. At the time of our assessment, there had not been any adverse events. However, we saw that the management team and staff discussed best practice and procedures for dealing with these during training and meetings.

The provider supported people to have safe transitions between services. The management team explained how they had supported 1 person when they had moved to a care home. They had shared information with the care home staff and worked alongside them for 2 days supporting the person after their move. This helped to ensure a smooth and safe transition. The management team explained that they continued to stay in touch with the person and their next of kin after the move to help make sure the transition had been successful for them.

The provider had developed a “grab folder” of essential information about each person which they shared with other care professionals and for use in case of an emergency. This included information about the person’s medical conditions, medicines, communication and mobility as well as contact names and numbers for their next of kin and doctor. This information helped to ensure people received safe and appropriate care when being supported by unfamiliar healthcare professionals, such as ambulance crews and emergency doctors.

There were systems to help safeguard people from abuse and harm. The staff undertook training to understand about safeguarding. We saw this was also discussed at team meetings. Staff were able to explain how they would recognise and report abuse. People using the service were given information about who to contact if they were worried about abuse, this included details of the local safeguarding teams. People using the service and their relatives told us they felt safe. Their comments included, “The carers keep my relative safe very well’’, ‘’I think the agency is trustworthy and I feel very safe with that’’ and ‘’I am feeling safe, and I am happy with the care I get.’’

The provider assessed the risks to people’s safety and wellbeing. They involved people in this process to ensure their choices were respected and they were able to take risks when they wanted. Risk assessments included plans for care and prompts for staff to help make sure people were kept safe. These were regularly reviewed and updated when needed.

The provider assessed the risks within people’s home environments. These included risks affecting the safety of the person and the staff caring for them. Where they identified potential risks, these were discussed with the person and their families to help plan for how to manage these. Staff had training to use the equipment people needed to keep them safe.

There were enough staff to care for people and to keep them safe. People were cared for by the same familiar staff. They told us staff arrived on time and stayed for the agreed length of time. Comments from people and their relatives included, “They are very punctual and really support me’’, “I think the carers are very knowledgeable and attentive’’ and “Time keeping is generally ok and the office contact me if they are going to be late.” The provider had an electronic call monitoring systems to help monitor whether staff arrived on time.

Staff explained they had enough time to travel between care visits. They also said they had opportunities to learn by shadowing experienced workers and through training. The provider had procedures to help make sure only suitable staff were recruited. We saw staff files contained relevant checks on staff. New staff undertook an induction and a range of training. The provider assessed their knowledge and competencies.

There were systems to help prevent and control infection. Staff undertook training about this. Staff were provided with personal protective clothing (PPE). The provider carried out spot checks on staff where they observed their practice. These included checks on whether they followed infection prevention and control procedures. People using the service and their relatives told us they were happy with this aspect of the service. Their comments included, “They keep to very high standards in cleanliness in all areas’’, “The hygiene standards are brilliant; they always wear the PPE clothing at all times”, ‘”They are very hygiene conscious people and wear protective clothing all the time” and “They also keep the working area clean.’’

People received their medicines in a safe way and as prescribed. Staff undertook training to understand about the safe handling of medicines. The provider also tested their knowledge and skills in this area. There were systems for supporting people with medicines and their individual needs were set out in their care plans and risk assessments. The staff recorded when they had administered people’s medicines, and these records were audited by the management team. People told us they were happy with the support they received with 1 person commenting, “The carers will deliver the medication and stand by to make sure it’s taken safely.’’ Another person explained that whilst the staff did not directly support them with their medicines, they always asked to make sure the person had remembered to take them.