Altogether Care - Care At Home Limited Weymouth

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 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 investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Staff recorded and reported any accidents and incidents. The provider had systems to monitor and review these reports to ensure actions had been taken to keep people safe and to improve the quality and safety of the service. Care was delivered safely and staff communicated effectively in practice. Recording processes were consistent with updates or changes in people’s needs and lessons learnt were shared with staff. A staff member told us, “Plans are regularly reviewed, and updates are communicated promptly via the office or digital systems.”

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.

Records confirmed people were supported with referrals to healthcare professionals when required. Staff and the manager told us they had effective, working relationships with external professionals to ensure people’s needs were met.

The service used an electronic care planning system. This meant when people’s information was updated; this was instant and available to all staff. The service ensured people had an emergency grab sheet available in case of an emergency hospital admission.

Health and social care professionals were complimentary about the service. A professional said, “They[provider] have shown the ability to respond dynamically as people’s needs change, particularly during the transition from hospital to home. They aim to maintain continuity by minimising the number of carers involved and ensuring appropriate oversight from senior staff.”

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.

People and their relatives told us they knew how to raise any issues and were confident they would be listened to.

Systems and processes were in place for recording and reporting any information of concern received by the provider. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures and understood the actions they needed to take to ensure people were protected from abuse. Staff told us they would report any concerns to the management team and escalate it further if they felt appropriate action had not been taken.

Records confirmed staff received training in safeguarding and the provider had an up-to-date safeguarding policy in place.

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 personalised care plans in place which outlined how risks associated with their medical conditions, health, and care needs would be minimised. These plans included specific guidance on areas such as catheter care and maintaining skin integrity. Staff demonstrated a strong understanding of how to support individuals in recognising, managing, and reducing identified risks.

People told us they were actively involved in discussing their care needs and contributed to the development of plans to manage potential risks. Risk assessments were regularly reviewed to ensure they remained accurate and reflected any changes in individuals’ circumstances. Staff showed a good level of knowledge regarding people’s health wellbeing. Assessments were completed to identify risks linked to care delivery, including areas such as medication management and manual handling.

People were supported to take positive risks and maintain their independence wherever it was safe to do so. For example, individuals were encouraged and assisted to access community services independently where appropriate. Staff supported people to use mobility equipment safely, promoting independence while reducing the risk of harm.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

During initial assessments, leaders assessed risks in people’s environment and identified any equipment that was needed or in use. People’s care records contained information about identified risks and gave staff guidance on how to work safely in people’s homes. The environmental assessments were regularly reviewed alongside people’s care plans to support delivery of safe care. Staff were provided with training on any equipment in use such as hoists and slings.

Staff confirmed they could contact the office regarding any environmental changes in people’s homes. Records confirmed the service worked closely with external professionals to ensure people had access to the right equipment. This had a positive impact on people’s quality of life.

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.

Staff were recruited safely, and recruitment records reflected this. Procedures were in place to ensure the required checks were carried out on staff before they commenced their employment. This included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for adults. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the police national computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

People told us they received support from a consistent staff team who generally arrived when they expected them to and stayed for the time agreed. A person told us, “They [staff] are very cautious of my safety, and I feel very comfortable with them. No missed visit, one or two delayed visits though, but they always inform me about it to know what is going on.”

Staff training was in place to ensure staff had the necessary skills to do their job. Records showed staff received ongoing supervision in their role, and their performance was regularly checked. Staff told us they liked their jobs and felt supported by the management.

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.

People told us staff followed correct infection control practices, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and aprons when providing care. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control and told us they understood how to promote good hygiene and minimise infection risks. Staff confirmed they had access to PPE. The provider had developed infection control policies and procedures in line with best practice. Leaders also carried out observations of staff while they worked. This helped ensure they were following the relevant guidance. These measures helped reduce the risk of infections spreading.

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.

People told us they received support with their medicines in line with their needs, and that this had been discussed and agreed with them before their care commenced.

The provider had a comprehensive medicines policy, outlining procedures for the safe handling and administration of medicines. Records confirmed staff had completed relevant medicines training and underwent regular competency assessments to ensure safe practice.

Medicines were documented on an electronic system, providing real-time records of administration. This ensured that any changes to prescribed medicines were implemented promptly and were immediately visible to all relevant staff.

Information relating to individuals’ medicine allergies was clearly recorded, ensuring staff were fully aware. The provider maintained effective medicine management systems and regularly audited medicine administration records, supporting the safe and appropriate delivery of care.