Hands on Healthcare Solutions

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.

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.
People told us they felt safe when staff supported them with their care and support. People had risk assessments in place to enable them to maintain their independence and keep them safe. There were enough skilled and competent staff to ensure they could safely support people and staff were recruited safely.
 

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 and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. 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. People told us they felt safe with the care and support of staff. One person said, “I always feel safe and secure with the staff. They are very professional and caring.”
 

Staff knew how to ensure people were protected from potential harm. A member of staff told us, “I would report any concerns, and any issues related to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLS). I would immediately report these concerns to my manager and discuss them further to ensure that appropriate actions are taken.” Staff were confident the registered manager would follow up any concerns and make the necessary referrals to the local authority as required. Staff confirmed they had completed training in recognising and reporting abuse and were able to tell us where safeguarding policies and information was held.

Records confirmed that safeguarding referrals to the relevant authorities were made appropriately, and the registered manager understood their responsibility to report safeguarding concerns.

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. People told us staff worked to keep them safe and understood their needs. One person said, “The carers make sure I’m safe when I’m walking about the house. They are very mindful of the fact that I am at risk of falling and do everything they can to make my home a safe place.” Relatives echoed these sentiments and told us they had peace of mind knowing their family members were safe.
 

Staff knew people well and told us they had enough information regarding people’s individual risks. A staff member told us, “These assessments are tailored to everyone’s specific needs and circumstances. They help us identify potential hazards and put plans in place to minimise those risks.”

Records confirmed that safeguarding referrals to the relevant authorities were made appropriately, and the registered manager understood their responsibility to report safeguarding concerns.

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. There were sufficient numbers of staff to keep people safe and ensure they received their care at a time most suitable to them. One person said, “I could set my watch by them. They are very reliable and never let me down.” A relative commented, “They always call if they are running late and even if they are late, they will always stay for the full time. It’s very reassuring for me knowing that [family member] is safe and that their care calls will not be missed.”
 

Staff told us they felt staffing numbers were sufficient to meet the needs of people using the service. One said, " I believe that the staffing levels are appropriate to meet the needs of the people we support. We aim to have a good mix of male and female staff to offer choice and meet individual preferences.” Another member of staff commented, “I regularly visit the same clients. This consistency is vital for building trust and providing good care.”

 

Records confirmed staff were recruited safely and received effective support, supervision and personal development. Systems were in place to quickly identify if care visits were late so that none were missed. Staff rotas demonstrated there were enough skilled and competent staff to ensure they could safely support people who used the service. We saw that an ongoing schedule of training was in place, to ensure staff kept up to date with good practice. New staff completed an induction period, which included shadowing more experienced staff to get to know people, as well as covering the basic training subjects.

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.