Tendacare

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.

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

For example, incident and accident logs, team meetings and audits highlighted the need for any learning and what could be done differently. We saw how the provider had done this by analysing all their call data to ensure staff had enough time to log into calls and were staying the full duration of the time.

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

Staff made referrals to services such as occupational therapists and community teams and supported safe hospital access and discharge. Information was shared appropriately using digital systems, supporting continuity of care.

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 described acting quickly to ensure safety, including contacting emergency services where needed and reporting to managers or safeguarding leads. A staff member said, “If I had an immediate safeguarding concern I would report my concern immediately. ”Policies, training and oversight systems supported effective safeguarding practice, and staff demonstrated awareness of their responsibilities to record concerns accurately. People told us they felt safe, 1 person said, “The service is excellent and I feel completely safe with the carers."

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 reflected people’s preferences, wishes and independence, with staff encouraged to support choice and involve people in decisions about their care. Risk assessments provided guidance to reduce harm while promoting independence. One person told us, “We sit down and plan what I have to eat, my diet is planned around the best healthy options for me."

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

Care plan identified environmental hazards and included clear guidance for staff, such as use of equipment, safe moving and handling, and infection prevention measures. The service worked with professionals and families to introduce adaptations, such as installing equipment to support safer mobility. Systems were in place to monitor safety through regular reviews and audits. One person told us, "I walk with a frame so the carers always make sure that there are no obstacles in my way around the house."

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.

The provider used digital rota systems to plan visits and support continuity, with staff matched to people based on needs and preferences. Staff told us they had enough time to travel between visits and deliver care safely. Training compliance was 100%, and staff received supervision, competency checks and support. Recruitment practices were safe. One person said, "I personally think the carers are well trained and all of them possess the skills needed to do all I need", another said, "The carers are exceptional, friendly, professional and extremely well trained." A healthcare professional told us, “I do think one of the strengths of the organisation is the training and skillset of the staff. They are all very professional.”

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.

Staff received training and followed policies on hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Infection risks were assessed within care plans, and staff were supported to remain off work when unwell. Regular audits and monitoring helped ensure safe practice.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened.

Staff followed care plans and medication administration records, completing checks to ensure the right person, medicine, dose,timeand route.A staff member said, “I would check the packet and watch the service user take their medication before ticking off the MAR chart”.