North Kirklees Domiciliary Care Service

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.

At the last inspection this key question was rated good. At this assessment the key question has remained 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 they identified opportunities to continually embed good practice.

The provider’s focus was on delivering safe, consistent, and person-centred care to meet the individual needs of each person using the service. There was a very open culture and a positive approach to identifying opportunities to learn throughout the service.

Staff were encouraged to develop professionally and felt confident to speak up if they believed they or others had made a mistake, safe in the understanding they would be supported to learn from this. One staff member said, “We look for opportunities to learn, and we are told not to be afraid to say if we haven’t got something right.” Another member of staff said, “We learn from each other all the time here. We share practice and have unofficial brainstorming to get new ideas.”

Reflective practice was used to ensure good outcomes for people, as well as to support staff wellbeing and morale.

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.

There was strong evidence of effective communication between the provider and other professionals involved in people’s care. Stakeholders told us communication between themselves, and the service was very good, for example, if a person needed any medical treatment or advice. One healthcare professional told us, “The staff have been very co-operative and have acted upon advice and guidance that has been provided. The [registered] manager and staff have worked hard to achieve the best outcomes.” They continue to liaise with both health and social care services to gain the best outcomes for the individuals they are supporting.”

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 was a clear policy and procedure around safeguarding and staff understood how to identify and report any concerns. Staff received training in safeguarding and were confident in what to do should any concerns arise. People using the service told us they felt safe from abuse or harm.

The service was working within the legal framework of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and best interest processes were followed where people lacked capacity to make decisions. Staff always sought people’s consent before providing support and demonstrated a clear understanding of how consent was communicated. Person-centred care was consistently promoted and delivered by the registered manager and staff.

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.

Staff had a clear and comprehensive understanding of the individual risks to each person, and knew how to support them to live safe, independent lives. Risk assessments were in place, and care plans highlighted the tasks required to support each person safely.

One person told us staff respected their right to take risks in their personal life choices and said, “Staff have helped me know how to keep myself safe.”

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 staff understood any risks in their working environment and each person was cared for safely in their own home. Care records gave clear information about any potential environmental risks.

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 met the needs of each person receiving care. Safe recruitment processes and effective care planning helped ensure people received consistent and timely care. One person said, “Even if I call at night time, there is always someone there and they try to help.”

Staff worked closely together to provide care at each person’s required times, in line with their needs and preferences. Staff received induction, training and competency checks to make sure they had the right skills to meet the person’s needs. One staff member said their recruitment had been very thorough and told us, “It was the hardest interview I’d ever had.” Another staff member said the right staff were in the organisation, and told us, “Staff’s hearts are in the job here.”

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 ensured robust infection, prevention and control procedures were in place, including staff training and a good supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to meet each person’s needs.

Infection risks were identified, managed, and reduced, protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of each person using the service, and the staff team.

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.

Each person was supported to manage their own medicines and the staff worked in partnership with them and the pharmacy to make sure their needs were met. There were robust systems and processes to support people to understand their medicines, and to cross check with the pharmacy to address any queries.