Schreiber Care UK - London

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 developed a culture where staff learnt when things went wrong. There were procedures for staff to report and record accidents and incidents. At the time of our assessment, there had not been any accidents. However, staff and the registered manager had reviewed a recent incident and taken action to ensure the person was safe. They had discussed this with the person and their relative.

The registered manager told us they discussed concerns highlighted by other providers or in the news with staff. They used these to generate discussions about best practice.

The provider ensured people had safe transitions and pathways. They worked with hospital discharge teams and other professionals to help make sure it was safe for people to return home after a hospital stay. A relative told us they were happy with the support a person had received from the agency during this transition.

The provider had safeguarding policies and procedures. They shared information about these with staff and people. Staff undertook training about safeguarding. They explained how they would recognise and report abuse. People using the service and relatives felt safe. A relative commented, “I am 100% happy with the service and feel [person] is safe.”

The provider assessed risks to people’s safety and wellbeing. People were consulted about these and given opportunities to take positive risks. Staff supported people to try new things and develop their confidence. Risk assessments considered the least restrictive ways of providing care and support. These were regularly reviewed and updated.

The provider assessed people’s home environments to make sure these were safe. They supported people to make improvements. For example, helping a person to remove hazards from walkways. They made a referral to the local fire brigade who carried out a fire safety check of a person’s home.

The staff had supported a person to get their door and windows repaired when these were damaged.

The provider employed enough staff to meet people’s needs and to keep them safe. People and their relatives told us they were cared for by the same familiar staff who they liked. A person commented, “[Care workers] are very good and experienced.” People told us staff arrived on time. Staff explained they had enough time to complete their work during care visits and to travel to these.

The provider had procedures to ensure staff who they recruited were suitable. They undertook a range of checks as part of the recruitment. New staff completed an induction and undertook training. The registered manager carried regular competency assessments, appraisals and supervisions with staff.

The provider had procedures to help prevent and control infection. Staff undertook training about infection prevention and control. They told us they had enough gloves, aprons and other protective clothing (PPE). People using the service and their relatives told us staff followed good cleanliness and hand hygiene practices. The registered manager carried out unannounced spot checks which included observing whether staff followed infection, prevention and control processes.

The provider managed medicines in a safe way. Staff undertook training to know how to handle medicines safely. Staff kept accurate records of people’s medicines and when these were administered. The registered manager liaised with GPs and pharmacists about people’s medicines and to discuss any changes. They recorded information about these, including side effects to be aware of. This helped staff to understand about these medicines. The registered manager undertook regular audits of people’s medicines.