Bee's Care Agency Limited

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• 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. At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained Good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm. Risks associated with people’s care were managed well. People were protected from the risks of abuse and neglect. There were sufficient numbers of staff to ensure all care calls were attended to. There were systems in place to ensure the robust recruitment of staff.

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.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider worked with people to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. One person told us, “I am in good hands, I really am.” Staff 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 provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. One member of staff told us, “I need to report straight away, I would report it to the manager, she can take it from there, she is always available. We have company policies and local authority details are on the website.” Staff received safeguarding training and there was a whistleblowing policy that staff could access if they needed to. Although there had been no recent safeguarding concerns raised the provider fully understood the processes to follow.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks. Comments from people included, “I don’t drink enough…. they [staff] encourage me”, “They are aware of the wire [on the floor] and check it’s not twisted or kinked, they make sure I don’t trip” and “I have things put in place like handrails, they are always there with a helping hand at all times.” Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. One member of staff showed us when they logged into a call on their electronic device, there was a list of tasks to check to ensure people received the appropriate care. For example, they showed us how they recorded how much people had been drinking and eating. The provider and staff told us they would complete a handover at the end of each call to ensure the care staff coming on the next call had up to date information about people’s needs. Staff worked well as a team to provide effective care to people. Where there was a change to a person’s health, they would update the person’s electronic notes system to ensure that all staff were aware. A member of staff told us, “When [peoples’] needs change the care notes are updated and [provider] will send out a message for carers that are due to visit.” In the event of an emergency such as bad weather there was a contingency plan in place that ensured that people’s care was prioritised based on their needs.

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider 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 told us staff always attended their call and stay for the full length of the call. One person told us, “They always arrive on time, they have never let me down.” People told us if staff were running late, they would be contacted by the member of staff or someone from the office. Staff fed back that there were enough staff to cover the calls, and they were given travel time. One member of staff said, “We have just taken on a new [staff] who started this week. [Provider] covers calls as well.” In the event of sickness or absence from work this would be covered by other staff at the service including the provider. The provider also ensured there was sufficient travel time in between calls. Staff were provided with online and some face to face training. This included training in moving and handling, food hygiene, nutrition, skin integrity, health and safety dementia care and infection control. They were all required to compete the care certificate [The Care Certificate is an agreed set of standards that sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in the health and social care sectors.] Staff were complimentary about the training and support at the service. One told us, “We have initial training on Care Skills (e-learning), but you get to know people and find out more.” The provider undertook supervisions and spot checks with staff to assess their performance. One member of staff told us, “I feel very supported in every way, the manager is very good at that.” The provider operated effective and safe recruitment practices when employing new staff. This included requesting and receiving references and checks with the disclosure and barring service (DBS).

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.