Truevale Care

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 inspection for F&A Care and Support Services Ltd. This key question has been rated good.

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 service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Relatives and people spoke positively about safety and told us staff were trained to understand it’s importance. A relative said, “What I like is that is that they put her safety first – it’s really reassuring.

The service 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 required support from external agencies. Everyone we spoke with was positive about their experience. Assessment records evidenced people’s views were listened to. A relative said, “[Person] really does have complex needs and the staff team have learned how to manage any issues. I can’t say how much their support means to us. They think and act first and then let family know – priority is on Mum’s needs.” Records detailed staff worked effectively with GP’s, district nurses and other external healthcare professionals.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. All staff we spoke with were knowledgeable about the different types of abuse that could take place and felt confident the registered manager would take any concerns seriously. Staff were knowledgeable about the provider’s safeguarding policy. A staff member said, “I have had safeguarding training. It is looking at everything to identify a risk and understand how it relates to protecting vulnerable people, recognising physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse.”

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. People were involved in their care planning and managing any risks. People’s care plans were written in consultation with them and with their consent. A relative told us they were confident staff knew how to care for their family member and said, “The manager sat with us and we talked through the whole history. My mother has complex needs and is very vulnerable. The team [staff] are really fantastic – if there’s a problem, they assess and act.” Staff were knowledgeable about the support people required including any risks associated with their care.

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Environmental risks were considered by the management team for all properties staff worked in as part of their initial assessment. Staff ensured equipment used in people’s own homes was safe. Regular checks were made on moving and handling equipment and health related equipment to ensure they could be safely used. Any concerns with equipment were reported to the management team or appropriate person for further action. A member of staff said, “Hoists, yes, they are well maintained. Other equipment is used such as standing aids to help them transfer from bed to the commode.’’

The service 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. The provider had strengthened their policies and procedures for the recruitment of staff, including eligibility to work in the UK, following review. Recruitment records demonstrated the provider had assessed the character, skills, experience and eligibility of staff to work in the care sector. The registered manager said, “We have learned a lot about recruitment”. Staff completed an induction and received training and supervision, enabling them to fulfil their roles. One relative said, “Since we live a long way from mum, I drive down to see her every two to three weeks. I’ve got to say it’s the level of trust. They’ve never let us down.” The providers training records showed staff received adequate training and new staff were in the process of completing their training. The registered manager told us only staff who had completed the appropriate training were allocated care visits when assisting people with more complex needs. They said, “We are currently working towards a plan to have all our care staff trained in the more complex areas.”

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. Infection control policies and procedures were in place. Staff told us they supported people to keep their houses clean, involving them in day-to-day upkeep of their home, where possible. Staff had access to personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of infection spreading. The registered manager carried out unannounced competency assessments to determine suitable PPE was being utilised by staff. Records showed staff were wearing PPE effectively and in line with best practice guidance.

The service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened. Staff received training in how to administer medicine and their competence was assessed. People’s medicine records showed they had received their medicines as prescribed. People spoke positively about the support they received with medicines management. The staff team were proactive at reporting any changes to people’s medicines promptly. One person said, “I’m very happy. I get four calls a day. Food and drink, help with tablets – over [X] a day, they record them all.