Kairos Care Services 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 newly registered service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 69 (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. Following a review of emergency health referrals, the service identified the need for better monitoring of hydration. A fluid intake chart was introduced to help staff keep track of a person’s hydration levels, spot potential health concerns earlier, and act sooner. This learning has helped strengthen preventative care and reduce the risk of avoidable health issues.

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. Referral information was clear, detailed and supported safe transitions between services. Staff worked in partnership with health professionals to coordinate and achieve more streamlined outcomes for people. This reduced delays, supported continuity of care and helped people receive timely care and treatment.

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 completed safeguarding training and understood how to recognise and report concerns about abuse or harm. One staff member told us, “I have read the necessary policies in relation to safeguarding. If I suspected any form of abuse, I would report it immediately to my manager and record my concerns appropriately.” This helped protect people from harm and promoted a culture where safeguarding concerns were recognised and acted upon promptly. People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment when this is in their best interests and legally authorised under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). At the time of our assessment, people being supported by the service had capacity to make decisions about their care and support. Records showed staff sought consent before providing care and involved people in decisions affecting their daily life. This promoted choice, respected the person’s rights and supported care in line with their wishes.

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. People’s care plan and risk assessments were detailed, person-centred and identified most known risks. This supported staff to provide safe and consistent care. Some areas required further development, such as additional risk assessments were needed to ensure all risks for people were safely managed. The registered manager was responsive to the feedback and took the necessary action.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Home environment checks were completed before care began. This helped identify potential hazards and supported safe delivery of care in people’s own homes. Further information was needed on fire safety within people’s properties, and the actions staff should take in an emergency. Strengthening this guidance would help staff respond safely and confidently if an emergency occurred.

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. Safe recruitment practices were in place to help ensure staff had the skills, experience and competence needed for their role. Staff completed training relevant to their responsibilities, supporting safe and effective care. A person told us, “Yes, I think staff are trained well, they know what they are doing when helping me.” Staff received regular support to maintain safe practice. This included supervision, spot checks and appraisals. Ongoing support helped staff develop their skills, promoted good practice and contributed to positive outcomes.

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. Staff completed training in infection prevention and control and understood how to reduce the risk of infection. Staff told us they had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and understood their roles and responsibilities for preventing the spread of infection. This helped protect people from avoidable infections and supported a safe, clean home care environment.

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 managed safely and in line with best practice guidance. People received support to manage their own medicines, promoting choice and independence. Accurate records of people’s medicines were maintained and risks associated with self-administration were assessed. Topical creams were applied in line with people’s assessed needs.