Personal Care Specialists

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.

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. Staff received training in safeguarding adults and children. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of how to identify and respond to any safeguarding concerns. Although there had been no recent safeguarding concerns, there were processes in place to report and monitor safeguarding events. People and their relatives were confident the staff would take appropriate action to ensure people’s welfare and safety. The registered manager demonstrated they understood their responsibility to carry out all aspects of the duty of candour.

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. Care plans and risk assessments were person-centred with evidence people and their relatives were involved in the process. Daily care notes completed by staff evidenced care was delivered in line with care plans. People told us they were happy with the care they received.

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 they were supported by regular staff who were; “well trained,” “friendly” and “brilliant.”

People and relatives confirmed staff did not always arrive on time for their calls. However, staff did stay for the planned duration and ensured all tasks were completed. One relative told us, “They don’t rush, they stay the agreed time. They always ask if anything is needed. If they finish early, they sit with [person] and have a cup of tea and chat.”

Staff received an induction when they started with the service which included training and shadowing shifts. Staff were up to date with mandatory training and completed additional training in a range of topics including autism, female genital mutilation and oral health care.

The processes for recruitment of staff were safely managed. Staff recruitment records demonstrated required checks were completed prior to staff employment including the interview process, reference requests and use of the Disclosure and Barring System (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.