Marigold Home Care 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 service registered on 22 February 2023. This key question has been rated 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. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

The provider had a process for the reporting and investigation of incidents, accidents and complaints but no incidents and accidents or complaints had occurred since the service registered in 2023.The registered manager explained their process was following an investigation they would speak with the staff involved in the concern to discuss the incident and the actions for improvement. The lessons learned from the investigation would be shared with other staff through supervision and team meetings as well via the staff Whatsapp group. Staff confirmed the actions identified following investigations was shared with them with a staff member telling us, “When things go wrong, we talk about this and discuss this and what we can do better or different.”

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.

The provider had a process to support the person to transition into their service to ensure their support needs could be met. The registered manager told us they had worked with the person and their family members, when appropriate, to identify the person’s care needs including if they had the equipment and any additional support required. A relative told us, the registered manager had supported them to complete official paperwork to ensure their family member received the support they needed. Staff completed training on supporting people with transitions.

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.

The provider had a safeguarding adults and children’s policy which was shared with staff. At the time of the assessment, no safeguarding concerns had been raised. Staff completed training on safeguarding adults and children and their understanding was assessed. They were able to demonstrate their understanding and how they would raise any concerns. The registered manager was in regular contact with people and relatives to identify and resolve any issues.

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 had detailed risk assessment which included information on possible risks and guidance for staff on how to reduce the risks when providing care. The registered manager explained they worked with the person and their family to identify any possible risks to their health and wellbeing. When staff developed the risk assessments, they worked to ensure the least restrictive actions were in place to keep the person safe. Staff completed training to understand how to manage risk including health and safety and mobility and their competency was assessed. Risk assessments were reviewed regularly with people using the service. People’s care plans included a section on mobility which identified if they could mobilise independently, when they required support and any equipment used to support the person.

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 carried out checks on the person’s home environment to identify any possible risks and how these could be reduced. A fire risk assessment and personal emergency evacuation plan were completed providing staff with guidance on what to do in case of an emergency. There was a risk assessment for the use of cleaning chemicals used 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.

Relatives confirmed their family member was visited by the same staff members which promoted continuity of care. Relatives told us staff stayed for the agreed time and sometimes for longer. The provider monitored the arrival time and length of visits to ensure these happed as agreed. The provider had an appropriate process for the recruitment of new staff which enabled them to identify staff with the required skills for the role. Staff had enhanced criminal record checks which covered working with both adults and children. New staff completed an induction, shadowed an experienced staff member, training and had their competency assessed. Staff completed a range of training courses which they told us they felt were useful. A staff member said, “I completed [training including] the care certificate, Mental Capacity Act, infection, respect and dignity and lots more.”

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.

Relatives confirmed staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE). A relative said, “They wear shoes covers, gloves and aprons.” Staff completed training on infection prevention and control and confirmed they were provided with enough PPE. Staff were assessed during spot checks to ensure infection prevention and control best practice was being followed.

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.

At the time of the assessment staff did not support people with their medicines. The provider shared the care of one person with another service who were responsible for administering medicines. Staff from Marigold Home Care had processes in place to ensure the medicines were administered to reduce the risk of any errors occurring.A medicines risk assessment identified the person’s prescribed medicines, dosages and who was responsible for administering.Staff had completed training on the administration of medicines. Staff confirmed they felt confident following the training to administer people’s medicines. The registered manager has assessed their knowledge through competency assessments.