Helping Hands Christchurch

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 the same. 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.

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 service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They 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 service shared concerns quickly and appropriately. People told us they felt safe in the care and support of staff from Helping Hands Christchurch. A person told us, “The carers are very caring and understanding, they feel like a part of my family.” Staff knew how to ensure people were protected from harm and abuse. A member of staff said, “I would contact the office, the on call or if it was a medical emergency, then call 999. The service takes this very seriously.” Staff had undergone training for safeguarding adults with regular updates. Staff knew how to raise concerns within the service and externally, they told us the registered manager would act immediately. Staff had the right qualities to provide care and keep people safe. A relative said, “The carers are compassionate, friendly and truly dedicated to their work. They take the time to listen and provide care with kindness and respect. They are making a real difference in daily life.”

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. People had risk assessments in place for all their care and support. Staff knew people well and told us they had enough information regarding people’s individual risks. People’s risks were assessed before they started to use the service and assessments were regularly reviewed. A relative told us, “Helping Hands Christchurch helped my loved one at home as they were having falls. They referred them to the GP, and other professionals, this is very reassuring.” Environmental risks were considered by the service, and this had included equipment, fire safety, and evacuation procedures. People told us they were supported to live safely. A person said, “On my bad days, they encourage me to complete tasks I would otherwise avoid.”

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 service 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 and their relatives told us staff were kind natured and skilled in their roles. A relative said, “I am humbled by them, they are well presented, wonderful and I feel lucky to have found Helping Hands Christchurch. They ‘get it’.” There were enough suitably skilled and trained staff to meet people’s needs. The service had a thorough induction, shadowing, competency checks and ongoing support processes. Training was a blended approach, a mix of both online and face to face sessions. A staff member said, “Training is very good, you are never too old to learn different techniques and new equipment. The service always check we are happy and offer additional training if needed.” A relative told us, “The carers demonstrate strong skill, knowledge and confidence in their roles. They handle various situations with professionalism, showing they have received excellent training.” Recruitment processes were in place; staff were recruited safely, following our inspection the registered manager strengthened the process to ensure reasons for leaving employment were clear. Procedures were in place to ensure the required checks were completed prior to staff commencing their employment. This included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for adults. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the police national computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. Support was ongoing and there was a schedule of supervisions and spot checks, records showed the conversations were two-way and detailed.

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.