Everycare (Wessex) 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.

Staff told us they knew how to report safety concerns. One staff member said, “Accidents and incidents are now reported online as the company has gone paper free. At the end of each visit there is a comments section which is mandatory as well as a shift report if needed. I can ring the office for advice as well as 999 for emergencies”, and “I know who to report concerns to and have confidence that any concerns would be taken seriously and dealt with promptly”.

When incidents were reported to the management, they were scrutinised and reviewed to identify themes and trends. Appropriate actions were taken to prevent recurrence, thereby helping to keep people safe. Staff confirmed safety events and the actions taken were shared during team meetings or via email and weekly newsletters to support learning. Comments from staff included, “Any errors or accidents are reported in our newsletters so we can learn from them”, and “Accidents, incidents, and learning opportunities are shared appropriately with staff. The service demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement through training, communication, and regular review of practices and procedures.”
 

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.

People’s needs and care requirements were detailed within their care plans and risk assessments. Pre-assessment paperwork was always completed involving people, relatives and health and social care partners prior to services commencing, and these assessments were shared with staff. People’s information was kept up to date through regular reviews. Should staff be concerned about people they would inform service management who would contact relevant healthcare professionals. There was a process in place to share information when people were admitted to hospital.
 

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 provider established effective safeguarding systems with clear policies and procedures in place. Staff told us they knew how to raise concerns and had completed safeguarding training specific to their role. One staff member told us, “Staff are made aware of how to identify and report safeguarding concerns both during their induction and throughout their employment. Adult safeguarding training is delivered as part of the induction process by the Registered Manager and Safeguarding Lead, with refresher and update training provided in line with CQC requirements and best practice guidance”.
People reported they felt safe around staff and had been aware of who to contact if they had any concerns. One person said, “I know exactly who to report to, no problem at all”.
Staff told us they felt confident management would listen and act if they raised concerns. One staff member told us, “From my experience, safeguarding is taken seriously within the organisation, and I am confident that any concerns raised would be dealt with promptly, appropriately and in accordance with the provider's policies and local safeguarding procedures”.
 

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.
Risks to people’s health, safety and welfare were identified. For example, risks associated with people’s mobility, skin integrity and malnutrition. These risks were assessed before people started to use the service and amended as needed. Risk assessments were created and maintained within the provider’s electronic recording system and updated regularly or when things changed. Relevant health and safety concerns were included in people’s care plans.
Staff told us they were given enough information about people’s risks and how to keep people safe when providing their care. One staff member said, “Care plans are reviewed every few months, also an incident or accident would result in a review. If we feel an aspect of a care plan is not appropriate, we flag it up to the office and explain why. Changes to care plans are also included in the weekly updates”. Another said, “Care plans are accurate, relevant, and regularly updated to reflect people’s changing needs. Staff have access to the information required to provide appropriate care”.
The registered manager told us, “We always look for positivity and independence. We would contact the community rehab teams and physiotherapists to see if we can assist to increase people’s mobility. We always ask what can you do and what would you like us to do”.
 

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

The service provided support in people’s own homes, they were not responsible for the upkeep of these premises. However, risk assessments were in place to ensure the environments in people’s homes were safe to protect people and staff from harm. For example, there were effective arrangements in place to manage risks associated with slips, trips and falls or fire, where the provider worked in collaboration with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service

When people’s needs changed, the provider contacted professionals, such as occupational therapists, to request an assessment.
 

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.

Staffing was safe and effective. Staff received regular supervision, spot checks and competency assessments to assess their knowledge. Training was up to date, with a mixture of online training and practical sessions tailored to staff needs. The service had an induction process for new staff which included ongoing observational support from dedicated staff to build individuals confidence.

Staff had access to specific training to ensure the safe delivery of care and access to accredited diplomas in health and social care to further enhance continued development within their roles.

Recruitment records showed staff were recruited safely. Other checks 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. References from previous employments had been sought.
The registered manager told us staff retention was very good with several staff in employment for 10 years or more.

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.
People were protected from the risk of avoidable infections. Staff had received infection prevention and control training.

The provider had effective systems in place to prevent and control infection and had a dedicated infection, prevention and control (IPC) lead who was also a registered nurse.
Staff followed current infection prevention guidance and used personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of cross infection.
Staff use of PPE was monitored during spot checks of their practice. People told us staff kept their homes clean.

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.

People received their medicines as prescribed.
Staff received medicines training and regular competency checks were carried out to ensure continued safe practice. The registered manager told us they always ask for a photo of the medication before adding it to the medication administration record [MAR] to ensure accuracy in recording.
Where medicines were prescribed to be taken ‘when required’ there was personalised information to guide staff within the medication risk assessments.
Regular audits were carried out to identify any concerns. Where errors occurred, these were reviewed and actions taken to support learning and reduce the risk of recurrence.