Spectrum Homecare 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. The provider had systems and processes in place to identify where learning was required following accidents and incidents. The registered manager understood their responsibilities and analysed incidents accidents and safeguarding events to minimise the risk of reoccurrence. For example, when a person had experienced a fall, the registered manager had liaised with external professionals including a GP and occupational therapist to ensure the person had the equipment they needed to reduce the risk of this happening again.

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 service had established systems in place to ensure people were safely supported to access other services when this was required. For example, appropriate referrals had been made when staff had identified a person was having difficulties swallowing. We found established links in place with occupational therapists and pharmacies and staff regularly liaised with these professionals to ensure people were supported safely with their health conditions.

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. Staff had received training in how to safeguard people from abuse and understood how to report any concerns. The provider had robust systems in place to ensure safeguarding incidents were promptly investigated and reported. People and their relatives consistently told us the service was safe. One person told us, “I feel completely safe with them, I never have to worry.” And a relative told us, “I feel safe knowing they’re coming, they know exactly what they’re doing.”

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 which affected people's daily lives, were documented and known by staff. The registered manager monitored and regularly assessed these risks and took appropriate actions to ensure people received care in a safe and consistent way. People confirmed they were involved in the planning of their care. One person told us, “They always ask what works best for me, they’re careful but not overbearing, they involve me in everything.” Another person told us, “Even if different carers come, they all seem to know exactly what’s needed, the care is seamless, everyone’s on the same page.”

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 provider made sure technology supported the delivery of safe care. We found an electronic monitoring system in place which monitored care delivery and alerted the management team to any issues arising, and these were promptly actioned. The provider also ensured people’s home environments were assessed to help make sure these were safe.

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 had been recruited safely and had received training appropriate to their role, this included specific training to meet people's individual needs. People told us there was sufficient staff available to support people. One person told us, “It’s quite a steady team, 100% reliable.” The registered manager demonstrated how they ensured people were supported by a small team of staff to ensure continuity and stability for people and staff.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. Staff confirmed they always had an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff were aware of the infection prevention and control processes they should follow and told us they had received training in this area. People also confirmed staff followed infection prevention and control measures. One person told us, “They always wear gloves and aprons, and clean their hands properly.” And another person told us, “They’re clean and professional, always wash their hands and wear gloves.”

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. Medicines were safely managed and were administered by trained staff who received regular checks and direct observation of their practice. People provided us with positive feedback on how staff supported them. One person told us, “They check and make sure tablets are given at the right time.” And another person told us, “I order my medicines, and they administer them without a hitch.” The provider ensured regular audits of medicines were carried out to check staff were following their policies to ensure medicines were safely managed.