ExtraCare Charitable Trust Humber Court

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.

Systems were in place to ensure accidents and incidents were reported, investigated and action taken to minimise risks going forward. Staff understood their responsibility to report incidents and concerns.

The management team reviewed incidents individually, identifying lessons learned and actions to reduce the risk of recurrence. The registered manager told us they were developing this approach further through the introduction of monthly governance meetings, which would provide greater oversight of emerging themes and trends and support continuous learning across the service.

Further training was in place for staff members who had made errors in administering medication, the care lead told us, “Theres no point in just doing the same training, we have to understand why the error was being made.”

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 supported people to experience safe transitions between services.When people required treatment outside of their home, such as the hospital, key information was available about the person to share with paramedics or other healthcare professionals.

Care plans included details of the external healthcare professionals involved in people’s care, helping to ensure effective communication and continuity of care between services.

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 had procedures in place to safeguard people from harm and abuse. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities for recognising and reporting concerns. The provider strengthened this approach by providing additional safeguarding training for leaders to support effective oversight and decision-making. Safeguarding policies were in place and provided staff with clear guidance on protecting people from abuse and avoidable harm.

People told us they felt safe using the service, and relatives shared the same view. One person said, “I feel happy here and safe.” Relatives also told us they felt reassured about their loved ones' safety and wellbeing. One relative said, “Oh, [person] is absolutely safe. We feel comfortable that they are there.”

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.

Risk assessment information was built into people’s care plans such as information and guidance for staff regarding any specific health conditions. For example, people with mobility needs, skin integrity and safe use of equipment.The provider responded effectively to risks as they arose. For example, guidance was displayed at the service for staying safe during a recent heatwave.

The provider took a thorough approach to risk management. They identified potential risks across multiple areas of people's lives and provided clear guidance for staff on how to reduce those risks. For example, where people were at risk of compromised skin integrity, such as when medical equipment increased the risk of skin damage, care plans gave staff guidance on preventative measures.

Staff supported people to understand and manage risks in their day-to-day lives. They provided advice and guidance to help people stay safe while maintaining their independence. One person told us, “They [staff] tell me what to do to keep safe. It's good advice and they keep an eye on me.”

Care plans included information to help staff respond appropriately to unexpected situations that could affect people's health and wellbeing. For example, guidance was in place for staff to follow if a power cut occurred for a person who used oxygen.

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

Environmental risk assessments were in place to identify and manage risks within people's homes and to help ensure care was delivered safely.

Fire safety was discussed at team meetings and people had up to date individual evacuations plans in place.

People were supported to complete requests to the maintenance team where needed.

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.

Recruitment procedures were in place to ensure all necessary pre-employment checks were completed before staff began work. This included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, which provided information about convictions and cautions held on the police national computer to support safer recruitment decisions.

New staff completed a comprehensive induction to ensure they had the skills and knowledge required for their roles. They were introduced to people using the service and worked alongside experienced staff before working independently. Staff were required to demonstrate and be signed off as competent in key areas of practice, helping to ensure they could provide safe and effective care.

Relatives were confident staff had the appropriate skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs safely and effectively. One relative told us, “Yes, they know their stuff and what they can and cannot do.”

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.

All staff had completed infection prevention and control training, and policies were in place to support safe working practices and reduce the risk of the spread of infection.

Staff demonstrated an understanding of the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and relatives confirmed staff used PPE consistently. One relative told us, “Yes, they do wear PPE. It is recorded in the app too.”

The registered manager completed monthly IPC audits to ensure practices remained effective and any areas for improvement were identified and addressed promptly.

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 completed medicines management training and demonstrated competency through robust assessments before administering medicines.

People’s care records contained detailed guidance about the medicines they were taking.

People received their medicines as prescribed and told us staff consistently administered them on time.

Monthly medication audits were in place to monitor the safe management of medicines; identify any issues and ensure appropriate action was taken where improvements were needed.