Kaedi Recruitment Agency 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 inspection 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 service had a proactive and positive culture of safety. There was a process for reporting and recording incidents or accidents such as those involving people coming to harm. The management team demonstrated a reflective approach to learning from incidents, particularly in response to risks associated with people’s mental health or substance use needs, and relationships between people living in shared housing. Staff recorded incidents promptly using digital systems and shared learning through daily handovers and team discussions. Where risks increased, the provider escalated concerns appropriately and supported the establishment of weekly multi-agency meetings focused on reducing the risk of harm.

The provider responded to incidents, including concerns raised by relatives and taking appropriate action, for example where staff did not adhere to the standards expected when supporting people. This demonstrated a proportionate and responsive approach to environmental safety. The provider used feedback from professionals and people using the service to reinforce learning. Staff received refresher training when needed, particularly around mental health awareness and managing anxiety and challenging behaviour. This helped staff adapt their approach and contributed to improved stability within people’s homes.

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 worked with local authorities and mental health services to support safe transitions into supported living or shared accommodation, for example from hospitals. Initial information was provided by the local authority, with providers completing their own assessments alongside this to develop care plans. The management team maintained regular contact with professionals and ensured pathways remained open for people to progress towards more independent living. Managers and staff worked with people to make sure their preferences and wishes were understood.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. People told us they felt safe when staff were present. A person said, “I feel safe from risks. Sometimes I am not always comfortable because there can be a lot of noise from other people in the house. I get anxious. The staff come and talk to me when this happens.”

Safeguarding concerns were recognised and acted upon promptly. The provider made referrals to safeguarding teams and the police when concerns arose. Staff worked closely with safeguarding teams, emergency duty teams, and adult social care to agree actions and reduce risk. Staff understood how to protect people from the risk of abuse and received training in safeguarding people. The registered manager ensured there were clear safeguarding systems and processes that protected people from abuse, neglect and discrimination.

The provider followed agreed actions with professionals to ensure people remained safe. Staff were clear about when to contact emergency services and described safeguarding processes confidently. Safeguarding actions were documented, and outcomes were reviewed. Professionals involved told the provider they were taking appropriate steps to keep people safe. This approach helped maintain a place of safety for people during periods of high risk. Learning was evident following safeguarding concerns as they followed safeguarding principles and professional advice. Staff told us they felt supported to raise concerns and understood how to respond if they were unsure, including contacting NHS 111 or emergency services.

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 assessments were undertaken to identify risks to people’s safety and determine the level of support they required. Risk management plans were developed to support people and mitigate risks to their safety. These covered areas such as personal hygiene, oral health, medicines, nutrition, personal safety and risks related to their long term health conditions. Risk management approaches were discussed and agreed with people, such as reducing checks on their welfare from every 30 minutes to hourly, following improvements to their wellbeing and mental health. Staff explained boundaries clearly, including expectations about behaviour in shared spaces, and involved people in reviewing these arrangements with mental health professionals.

The provider supported people to understand the impact of their actions towards others. Staff and managers developed strategies to reduce anxiety and conflict within the household. This collaborative approach contributed to improved relationships within the service and reduced levels of risk. People were satisfied with how the service worked with them to keep them safe. They confirmed they had been involved when discussing risks to their health and felt staff knew how to keep people safe. A person said, “The carers understand my needs and help make me safe, when I am uncomfortable.” People and relatives were confident staff had the skills to understand and manage everyday risks. A relative told us, “I do worry about [family member] but there is good support individually. The staff work hard to try and support everyone.”

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 carried out an assessment of environmental risks in people’s homes during the initial stages of the person’s assessment to check if it was safe for staff to work and carry out tasks. This included fire safety and environmental hazard checks.

The supported living scheme consisted of a shared house where each person had their own tenancy and private bedroom. Communal areas were monitored using closed-circuit television (CCTV) to support safety, with cameras limited to hallways and shared spaces. Consent for CCTV was obtained from people living in the house.Environmental risks were managed through increased staffing when required and clear guidance to staff about welfare checks, particularly overnight.

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 levels were adjusted in response to risk. The provider increased staffing during the day and evening, with a waking night staff member and additional support available when needed. There was a 24-hour on-call system, and senior staff were visible and involved in day-to-day oversight. Staff told us there were enough staff to help maintain the service.Staff recruitment processes included interviews, references, criminal record checks, and verification of qualifications. Staff completed mandatory training before working independently, including safeguarding adults, infection control, mental health awareness, autism, learning disabilities, positive behaviour support, and self-harm.

Staff received regular supervision and team meetings. Staff described feeling supported and confident in escalating concerns. This helped ensure people were supported safely during periods of complexity and high risk.

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. Infection prevention and control procedures were in place. Staff received training to help them maintain good standards of infection control. Staff told us they had access to sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). A staff member said, “We use PPE to protect everyone and have had infection control training.” A person said, "The carers wear gloves and keep the house clean and tidy.”

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 safe support with medicines because staff were trained and their competency was checked. Staff supported people with their medicines in line with individual needs and risk assessments. Medicines were administered using electronic medication administration records, which supported accurate recording. Protocols for PRN (when required) medicines were in place and staff managed these medicines appropriately. Specialist medicines were managed by external health professionals, with staff providing support to attend appointments. The provider followed the principles of reducing the use of psychotropic medicines for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. This promoted a good quality of life for people through the right use and continuous review of their prescribed medicines.

Staff had access to prescribing information and logged any refusal or changes immediately. They told us the system helped them avoid missed doses. Staff explained they contacted the office or GP if they had concerns or if a person refused medicines. Staff demonstrated understanding of safe medicines handling, including hygiene, consent, checking prescriptions, and recording accurately. Medicines competency assessments were held in staff files and these were reviewed. A staff member said they were “confident” supporting people with medicines and understood procedures.