Elborough 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 service’s first assessment. This key question has been rated good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 84 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider had a strong proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and transparency. Staff actively listened to concerns about safety and thoroughly investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were always learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Clear systems were in place to report and manage incident, accidents and safeguarding concerns. These were always reviewed and actions taken. Information was shared with staff within the organisation so risks could be mitigated promptly. This was important due to the provider supporting people in emergency placements and the fast paced changes that occurred with peoples support needs. Information was shared regularly with professionals involved in supporting people. A health and social care professional said, “Elborough Care Services communicate well and actively reflect on situations. Weekly reports and incident recoding is clear and concise.”

Staff told us senior staff members would highlight constructively where any improvements were needed. A staff member sad, “The team leader was very good at looking at my notes to see everything was right.” The provider recognised the risks associated with closed cultures and worked with staff to ensure concerns, including complacency were raised, to ensure positive working cultures remained.

The provider always worked with people and healthcare partners to design, establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was always well managed and monitored. They made sure there was always continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.

People were involved in planning for moving between services. The provider had supported people to settle in new placements to ensure people’s safety. Regular meetings occurred with the wider multi-disciplinary to ensure there was a continuity of care. The provider advocated to ensure people’s voices were heard and decisions made supported people’s planned goals.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately with the relevant authorities and professionals. People and their relatives told us they were safe. One person said, “Yes, I feel safe.” A relative said, “Yes, I feel they are safe. [Name of person] has a lovely time with them [staff].” Systems were in place to manage and act on safeguarding concerns. Staff knew how to identify and report safeguarding concerns. A staff member said, “I would report to the line manager or supervisor and let them know immediately what was happening.” Safeguarding was promoted and discussed in a variety of ways to ensure learning was embedded. A designated staff lead for safeguarding ensured concerns were managed effectively and regular audits conducted.

Staffing levels were kept at the agreed safe numbers. One person said, “[Staff] always turn up and on time.” Another person said, “I’m happy with them [staff].” A relative said, “[Staff] always there on time. They do not go until everything is safe.” People’s legal status was documented in their care plans. People’s capacity was considered in relation to specific areas of their care and support.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. A health and social care professional said, “Elborough work in full partnership with social care, multiagency teams, the individual and their family for all aspects of risk assessments and management in the home and community.”

Risk assessments were specific to the individual person. For example, managing risks around, travelling in a vehicle, choking and health conditions such as epilepsy. Guidance was clear for staff on procedures to follow in different circumstances. For example, in the escalation of a health concern or managing a change in someone’s mental health. Risk assessments were reviewed regularly or when incidents or changes had occurred. Staff worked alongside people to manage risks. People were supported and empowered to take risks.

Meetings were held regularly to discuss and manage emerging risks. A staff member said, “We have meetings every week to talk about each and every client and they [the provider] support us if we have any challenges that we need address to safely support the young people.” A family member said, “They relay [risks] to professionals.” However, one person told us, “They keep sending people [staff] who don’t listen to me.” Another person said, “Somethings they approach differently depending on the staff.”

The provider assessed and controlled potential risks in the care environment. This ensured the environment was safe for people and staff. Risks to individuals were managed. For example, removal of items that could cause harm. The provider made sure equipment and facilities supported the delivery of safe care. Adaptations and reasonable adjustments were made to made to meet people’s needs. For example, by ensuring mobility equipment was in place.

The provider ensured there were always enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received thorough support, supervision and strong development opportunities. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. Safe recruitment were procedures followed, which embedded the organisations aims and values. The provider was focused on recruiting experienced staff who could meet people’s needs. Thorough vetting, interviews and assessments of staff were completed. Including a full education and employment history, numerous references and police checks. Steps in the recruitment process were carefully monitored to ensure full completion before new staff commenced employment.

New staff followed a comprehensive induction programme which demonstrated the organisations vision and how this was achieved in the care provided. A staff member said, “The induction was really good.” A buddy system had been introduced to support staff as they started in the organisation. Effective processes ensured there were always enough appropriately experienced and qualified staff. Staffing within the organisation was monitored to ensure each care package could be met. Contingency plans were in place to make sure care hours were always met. People received support from a consistent team of carers. New staff were introduced in a planned and individualised way. Spot checks and competency assessments occurred.

Staff received regular supervision and said they could always seek support. A comprehensive training programme covered a wide range of topics. This included supporting adults and children and training specific for individual needs. Training compliance was high and continually monitored. Development opportunities for staff were promoted and encouraged. A relative said, “Staff are well trained.” Where staff worked with an autistic person or person with a learning disability, staff’s skills and experience had been matched to the needs of the person.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. Care plans and risk assessment guided staff in safe procedures. All staff had received training in infection, prevention and control. Staff told us they were supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE). A staff member said, “Yes we have PPE.” One person said, “They help me wash my hair and they wear gloves.” A relative said, “Staff always wear gloves and aprons when appropriate."

The provider made sure medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Systems ensured people received their medicine as prescribed. A staff member said, “I have had medicines training.” Protocols were in place for as required and emergency medicines. This described how people would communicate a medicine may be required or how staff would observe this.

The service ensured people’s medicines was regularly reviewed. The provider ensured recognised guidance was adhered with in relation to ensuring medicines were appropriate for people with a learning disability and autism. A health professional said in relations to medicines management, “Elborough Care Services seek advice and guidance as and when necessary.

People were supported to be involved and independent with their medicines where appropriate. For one person, a tailored system was in place for them to manage their medicines which was closely monitored and agreed by a multi-disciplinary team. One person said, “I take them [medicines] myself. They [staff] did help me.”