Enabling Others Limited

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. Incidents and events within the service were recorded, recognised and then acted on. The service effectively monitored for themes and trends. We found the management team were open and transparent and were taking action to drive improvement at the service.

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. The provider had procedures in place to ensure people’s transition to and from other services was well-managed, including by involving people, their families, and relevant healthcare professionals.

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. The person told us they felt safe with staff as they knew them well and gave them the support they needed including help with their mobility. The provider had policies and procedures in place that supported effective and timely safeguarding. Staff demonstrated they understood abuse, potential symptoms and what they would do should they suspect abuse had occurred. A staff member told us, “We have got to know [Name] very well and can see if something is not right. We can report this to the office and take action quickly.”

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks. Staff always provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Care plans included risk assessments relating to the health, safety and welfare of the person using the service. These documents provided detailed information and guidance to demonstrate what the risks were and how they were mitigated. We observed staff were aware of risks for the person and were responsive to providing safe reports and prompts to help them stay safe. The person confirmed they were involved in assessments of risks and agreed actions to mitigate these.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care..
Staff worked to ensure the person was happy with their environment whilst ensuring a safe working environment for them to deliver care in. For example, they supported the person with keeping their environments clean and tidy and provided extra support where they had excessive clutter. The person's care plans included information for staff regarding potential environmental risks, such as location of emergency utilities and any known risks, including pets and access to their home. Staff were trained to use this equipment in the home safely.
 

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 was a careful staff recruitment and matching process which helped to ensure staff consistency and compatibility. The person told us, “I am very happy with my staff team.” Staff had received training and information to enable them to have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide the care the person needed. Staff were recruited safely. We saw documents to confirm that DBS checks were part of the recruitment process along with the necessary references and right to work checks.

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. We observed staff followed procedures to protect the person from the risk of infections, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, and changing these as they moved between tasks.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved the person in planning, including when changes happened. Staff were trained in medicines administration, and their competencies were regularly assessed. The person's care plans included detailed information and guidance for staff to follow when supporting them to take their medicines, including any specific risks or potential adverse effects. The provider had made improvements to systems and processes to ensure robust medication audits and checks were completed. This assured them medicines were given safely and as prescribed.