Archived: Knightsbridge Care Services

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The provider responded with an action plan and details of a revised recruitment policy. This included more robust procedures with regards to employing family members and the process that must be adhered to in those circumstances. They also updated their risk assessment on ex-offenders. This included ensuring all discussions regarding criminal convictions were in written form and logged on interview. We saw the policy regarding employment of family members had also been added to the Employee Handbook so all staff were aware of the procedures they must follow when recommending family members for employment.

We contacted the provider who was able to confirm that the new procedures were fully part of the revised recruitment process.

We were satisfied that the new procedures put in place meant that people using the service were no longer at risk because staff were no longer appointed without a proper and clearly recorded assessment of their suitability for the post.

People who used the service told us they were satisfied with the care and support they received. Typical comments from people included:

'Everything's fine. They know what they're doing,'

'Happy with the service, no problems,'

'We're very happy with them. We get to know them, very nice.'

Staff told us they were well trained and supported. We spoke with two relatively new staff members who told us of the recruitment and induction process. One member of staff told us, 'We get the training we need.'

There was one safeguarding concern which was current. This related to a whistleblowing that had indicated concerns over a staff member. Staff had found it difficult to voice their concerns within the service because of the person's close connection with a senior staff member. The person had been recruited by them without referral to the registered provider, who could have taken a more neutral view of their application. Robust consideration of the person's application and employment was compromised by their relation to the person vetting their application.