Agaped Healthlink Ltd

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.

This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated 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.

There were systems in place to review and investigate accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns. Whilst there had not been any at this time, the registered manager talked through the actions they would take which included investigating the situation to identify if any actions were required and if any lessons were to be learned.

The provider understood how they should work 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 were assessed prior to them receiving a service. This ensured the service was able to provide the necessary safe care and support to people. The registered manager gave examples of how they had spoken with health professionals when required to ensure there were no changes to care and support required when people became unwell and were discharged from hospital.

The provider understood how they would need to work 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 understood that concerns should be shared quickly and appropriately with other agencies.

There were systems in place to safeguard people from the risk of harm and abuse. The provider had policies in place which guided staff on the actions they should take should they suspect harm or abuse had taken place. The registered manager was able to explain the actions they would take to report and investigate safeguarding concerns.

Staff had the knowledge to identify safeguarding concerns and take action to keep people safe. A staff member told us, “Yes, I would report any concerns straight away to my line manager. I know where to find the safeguarding policy if I need to check anything.”

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 safety had been assessed and plans were in place to minimise these risks. Risk assessments were person-centred and had been regularly reviewed to ensure any changes to care were recorded. A staff member told us, “We always put the client’s needs first, including their safety, and follow clear procedures to make sure they feel well cared for and protected.”

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 ensure staff were safe whilst supporting people.

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.

Staff received an induction when they started working for the service and additional core training which was appropriate and relevant to their role. Staff training was recorded and monitored to ensure they remained up to date with their knowledge and skills.

Staff received the support they needed to deliver safe care. This included supervision, appraisal, access to appropriate training and support to develop and improve services. A staff member told us, “I’m up to date with my training and felt well-prepared when I started. If there’s anything else I want to learn, I know I can speak to my manager, and they’ll support me.I feel supported and know I can reach out to management any time I need to.”

There were robust and safe recruitment practices to make sure all staff were suitably experienced, competent and able to carry out their role. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were carried out. These provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

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.

There was an effective approach to assessing and managing the risk of infection, which was in line with current relevant national guidance. There was a policy in place and training for all staff. Unannounced spot checks were completed to ensure staff were wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. A staff member told us, “Infection control is really important. I wash my hands regularly, use PPE properly, and avoid contact if I’m unwell, especially when working with vulnerable clients. I wear disposable gloves and aprons as standard when providing care, to protect both myself and the client.”

The provider had systems in place which ensured medicines would be managed safely and meet people’s needs, capacities and preferences. People would be involved in planning, including when changes happened.

At the time of inspection, the provider was not supporting anyone with the administration of medicines. There was a policy in place which outlined how medicines would be managed safely. The registered manager told us about the processes they would follow to ensure people received their medicines safely which included identifying what support people required during the pre-assessment, completing regular audits and ensuring staff were appropriately trained and had their competencies checked.