Peterborough

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 ratedgood.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 continuallyidentifyand embed good practice.

Learning from events involved a whole staff team approach.The registered managers told us howthey had implemented a robust process from start to finish which included allstaff andwas led by the team leaders.Outcomes from learning, and decisions made were shared with staff.

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.

At the start of a care package, the person’s health and care needs were assessed to ensure they could be met by staff and if any additional training or equipment was required.

There were effective arrangements in place for partnership working with external professionals. Stable systems supported joined up working and positive professional relationships, which helped to promote safe care and coordinated decision making. External professionals provided positive feedback about the service’s approach. A professional said, “Staff worked well with professionals and were very respective to advice, changes and exploring all areas to support the individual such as exploring triggers to support with de-escalation of behaviours”.  

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.

There were effective safeguarding systems in place. The provider had clear policies and procedures, and staff had completed safeguarding training appropriate to their role. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of different types of abuse and knew how to escalate concerns.Staff were aware of the provider’s safeguarding and whistle blowing policies and knew which agencies to contact if they felt the provider was not acting on their concerns.Safeguarding records showed referrals, actions taken and learning identified.Safeguarding concerns were shared with the Local Authority (LA) and CQC, as required.

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 were identified,assessed and kept under review. Care plans and risk assessments reflected people’s individual needs and preferences and supported positive risk taking. Staff worked with people to agree how risks could be managed in a way that respected their routines and abilities.

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 undertook risk assessments, with measures to reduce risks, of people’s home, equipment used and fire safety. Guidance was provided for staff on how to support the person in case of an emergency.

During the initial assessment of a person before support begins, it was discussed with them,their relatives and commissioners, how support could be provided to ensure a safe environment. This was a person-centred agreement, depending on the needs and wishes of the individual, also considering the safety of the person and staff entering the property.

Managers included a check of the environment when completing a spot check of the support being delivered by staff. 

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 a range of up to-date training competency assessments and follow-up checks were used to confirm staff could carry out their roles safely. Staff told us the training was relevant and supported them in their work.New staff completed an induction programme before working independently, and all staff received regular supervision to review their practice and maintain safe care.Reflective practice was carried out after every training session which enabled the management team to have oversight of people’s development and areas which may need further support.

The provider completed appropriate recruitment checks before staff commenced employment. Recruitment checklists were reviewed and updated to ensure they aligned with legal requirements, supporting safe and effective staffing arrangements.

Staff told us they thought that there were enough staff employed to deliver support safely.

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.

The provider had processes for the management of infection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was readily available and used appropriately by staff. Staff received infection prevention and control (IPC) training, and competency checks to support safe practice.Staff confirmed that they had access to PPE. A relative we spoke to confirmed that staff wear appropriate PPE.

Audits were completed to monitor compliance with IPC practices and identify any actions needed.

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.

Where the service administered medicines, effective systems were in place to ensure medicines were given as prescribed. The service used an electronic medicines administration system (eMAR), supported by PRN (as required medicines) protocols and routine audits.

Staff received medicines training appropriate to their role and were regularly observed to ensure safe practice. Records were monitored so any concerns could be identified and addressed promptly. Where errors occurred, these were reviewed and actions taken to support learning and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Care plans contained clear information and guidance for staff when medicines needed to be administered at certain times or in a certain way. These considerations were included in the scheduling of staff visits, and staff knew and understood the risks associated to the person if this was not complied with.