Gary Care 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.

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 shared vision, strategy and culture. This was based on transparency, equity, equality and human rights, diversity and inclusion, engagement, and understanding challenges and the needs of people and their communities.

People using the service, their relatives, and staff benefitted from the provider’s focus on person-centred care, delivered consistently and safely. Staff understood and implemented the organisation’s strategy, which promoted people’s wellbeing, stability, and independence. They felt supported in their roles and embraced the provider’s culture of innovation, continuous learning, and improvement. The Provider Information Return (PIR) was detailed and comprehensive. It showed a clear understanding of the service, the people supported and the manner care was delivered. The PIR clearly set out the provider’s vision to deliver high-quality, person-centred care that placed people at the centre of decision-making and promoted dignity, compassion and respectful service. It also showed good insight into risks, areas of development and how learning was used to improve outcomes. This provided a strong foundation for safe, effective and values-led care and supported continuous improvement across the service.

Staff were actively engaged with the service and told us they enjoyed their roles. They were passionate about delivering individualised care and supporting people to maintain independence and participate in community activities. Staff spoke positively about the management and leadership of 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.

Theprovider followed their processes to assess people’s needs before care and support began. Staff supported people to access healthcare services when needed. Healthcare professionals, along with people and their relatives, were involved in designing care and support plans, enabling people to live safely in the community. The registered manager updated care plans to reflect changes in people’s health and wellbeing, ensuring staff could deliver suitable care. The provider accepted care packages only after considering each person’s needs and the available staff complement, ensuring a safe transition into the service.

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.

People were supported in a way that minimised the risk of abuse. A relative told us, “[Person] is safe with the care team. They know how to provide safe care.” Staff understood their responsibility to identify and report any concerns and were aware of the different types of abuse. They said, “My duty is to protect our vulnerable clients,” and “I will report anything that can harm [people].” Staff received training in safeguarding and positive behavioural support to reduce the risk of harm. The registered manager understood their role and worked closely with the local authority regarding safeguarding concerns.

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.

People and their relatives were involved in assessing and managing risks, which helped to minimise the risk of avoidable harm. Relatives and healthcare professionals commented, “Carers understand situations that can trigger mood changes,” and “Staff have a holistic approach to managing risk. They ask and follow the guidance we provide.”

Care and support plans were detailed and outlined activities people could safely do independently, as well as when staff support was needed, for example, managing their own medicines, money, washing and dressing, and preparing meals. Records showed that staff followed guidance and managed risks in a safe manner.

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 registered manager ensured that people used suitable equipment to meet their needs. The provider assessed people’s home environments, and staff supported them to maintain safe surroundings. Risk assessments identified potential hazards, such as trip and fire risks. Staff told us they used equipment safely, followed procedures when travelling with people, and avoided crowded public places to ensure their safety.

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.

People were supported by sufficient staff who were skilled and trained for their roles. A relative told us, “[Person] has a team of competent carers.” Staff told us, and records confirmed, that staffing levels and skills were appropriate to meet people’s needs and deliver care effectively. People and their relatives consistently said staff were always available, punctual and did not rush when providing care. 1 relative said, “[Person] enjoys the support they receive. Care staff are well rotered, know them well, and take their time and involve the person in everything they do.”

People benefitted from consistent and regular staff, as they understood their needs and provided a high standard of care. The provider ensured staffing levels were sufficient and had the appropriate skills mix to meet the complex needs of people using the service. Staff received training and support from specialist healthcare professionals, enhancing the delivery of personalised and effective care. A healthcare professional commented, “Staff are professional and well trained.” Staff were recruited safely, ensuring their suitability to provide care.

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.

Staff were trained in infection prevention and control and followed good hygiene practices, minimising the risk of cross-contamination. They supported people with personal hygiene and helped maintain a clean and comfortable living environment. Relatives commented, “[Person] is always well-groomed and well-presented. Carers support [person] to keep their home tidy.”

The registered manager ensured staff had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and used it consistently, helping to reduce the risk of infection and ensure people were supported safely. Spot checks, supervision, team meetings, and regular communication were used to monitor and maintain consistent compliance with PPE use.

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 completed medicine administration records (MARs), had received training in medicines management, and had their competency assessed. The registered manager carried out regular audits to ensure medicines were administered safely. They worked closely with the GP and pharmacy to ensure medicines were regularly reviewed and reduced where appropriate to benefit people’s health and wellbeing. Medicines policies and procedures were in place and reviewed as required.