SureCare Swale Also known as Kent Care LTD

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 avoidableharm.

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.

There was a culture of learning from any incidents, accidents or complaints to prevent a re-occurrence and make positive changes. People’s needs were assessed with them prior to any care or support being given and risks associated with the person including environmental risks were assessed and mitigated. Staff had been trained and protected people from the risk of abuse following the provider’s policy and procedure. People where possible were provided with consistency and continuity of care. Staff had been recruited safely and been trained to meet people’s needs whilst promoting effective infection control procedures. People received their medicines safely from staff that had been trained, had their competency assessed and were observed on a regular basis by a member of the management team.

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 was a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Investigations took place from any incidents, accidents or complaints and any lessons learnt or changes that were needed were discussed at staff meetings and then implemented. People and their relatives were confident any concerns that they raised would be acted on. People were given the opportunity to raise any safety concerns they may have through reviews, spot checks and conversations with the care staff. People and their relatives were confident that any concerns they raised would be acted on, for example, one relative told us had raised concerns us in relation to their relatives gates being left open during the evening and the registered manager took immediate action to drive round and close the gates. Systems were in place to ensure people continued to receive the care they needed in times of an emergency such as, adverse weather conditions in the winter months.

The provider worked alongside people, their relatives and health care professionals to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. People’s needs were assessed with them prior to any care or support being given. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. For example, a hospital passport to inform hospital staff how the person wanted their needs met. Systems and processes were in place for referrals to the agency to commence packages of care and referrals that were needed to external health care professionals to ensure people’s needs were met.

People were protected from the potential risk of abuse from staff that had been trained and knew what action to take if they needed to. Accessible information regarding safeguarding was shared with people to inform them of what to expect from health care professionals and who to raise any concerns with. The registered manager had raised concerns with the local authority safeguarding team appropriately. Safeguarding was a topic of discussion at each staff meeting, supervisions, spot-checks by a member of the management team and included in the staff newsletter.

Potential risks posed to people including environmental risks had been assessed and mitigated. Staff were aware of people’s potential risks and how to support them in the way that they wanted, whilst minimising risks to their safety and well-being. Support and advice had been given by the registered manager to one person in relation to the person’s environment including, the use of extension leads and plug sockets. Potential risks due to people’s specific health conditions had been assessed such as, mobility and the increased risk of falling.

The safety of people’s homes and staffs’ work environment had been assessed and any risks identified were mitigated. The assessment included the external area of the property such as, any overgrown bushes or broken steps leading into the house. Staff safety in the surrounding area was also considered such as, external lighting and parking.

People where possible were provided with consistency and continuity of care. Staff were scheduled in line with people’s needs and preferences. The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff spoke highly of the training they had received, and some staff had requested additional training to develop in their role, which had been sought by the registered manager. Recruitment records showed staff had been recruited safely.

Risk of infection was assessed and managed through infection prevention control processes. People and their relatives confirmed that staff wore the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as, gloves and aprons to reduce the risk of infection. Staff had been trained and had access to a variety of PPE which they used and disposed of appropriately. The importance of infection control was discussed at staff meetings and included within the management spot checks that took place.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Guidance was available to staff to inform them of the exact support the person required with the management of their medication. Staff had been trained and had their competency assessed by a member of the management team. The registered manager had oversight of people’s medication and completed audits and spot checks observing staff practice in medicine administration.