Securecare (UK) Limited

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. 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.

The provider used systems to learn from accidents and incidents. Staff recorded incidents and actions taken, applying these lessons during incident management to minimise the risk of reoccurrence. An incident and accident policy was in place that detailed the process of managing incidents and learning from lessons following incidents.

The provider worked with people and professionals to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed and monitored.

The provider captured information as part of the pre-assessment process to determine if the service could support people safely. This included speaking with the referring agency, and the person and their relatives where possible.

At the time of our assessment, the provider had not needed to support anyone to attend hospital or use other care services. However, they had procedures to ensure they shared information and provided support when needed.

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.

People told us that they felt safe when supported by staff. A person told us, “I like them [staff] and feel safe.”

Staff knew about safeguarding processes and had received training in this area. A staff member told us, “Safeguarding is making sure client is safe and free from abuse. If I see abuse, I will go to management and let them know what is going. I can also go to local authority.”

A safeguarding policy was in place that detailed the types of abuse and how to escalate concerns if staff suspected or saw abuse to ensure people were protected.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.

Risks had been identified and there were risk assessments to ensure people were safe when being supported. Records showed there were risk assessments in place associated with each aspect of care being delivered such as with moving and handling, nutrition and continence. Risk assessments included the risk identified and information on how to mitigate risks to ensure people received safe care.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment.

The provider completed risk assessments on people’s home environment. Assessments included assessing access to people’s property, surroundings and any hazards relating to falls and fire safety.

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 had completed key training, which included moving and handling and health and safety. Specialist training was also completed, including in key topic areas such as caring for people with a learning disability. The provider used a training matrix to ensure oversight of training. A staff member commented, “I did all my training such as safeguarding, first aid. It is very helpful.” A person told us, “They [staff] know me well and know how to support me.”

Staff told us they received training and induction. A staff member told us, “I got an induction, this showed me about the company, policies and procedures and I shadowed experienced carers.”

Staff rotas had been completed and were made in advance so people knew the staff that would be available to provide support. Systems were in place to ensure staff attended calls on time. This included completing time sheets, which were reviewed by the care manager to ensure staff were on time for calls. A staff member told us, “I am able to go to calls on time. My rota is given in advance so I know the times and days to attend.”

Regular supervisions had been carried out to ensure staff were supported at all times. During these supervisions, staff development and performance were discussed. Staff told us they were supported in their roles. A staff member told us, “[Care manager] is really good, she is supportive.”

The management team carried out relevant pre-employment checks, such as criminal records checks, right to work in the UK, references and proof of the person’s identity had been carried out to ensure staff were of good character.

The provider had an effective approach to assessing and managing the risk of infection, which is in line with current relevant national guidance.

Staff were able to tell us the process of ensuring people were protected from infections such as good hygiene protocols and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Infection control training had been provided to staff. There were also infection control care plans to ensure staff followed good infection control practises. A staff member told us, “We are given PPE like masks, aprons and gloves and we use it when supporting [person].”

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences.

Care plans detailed the medicines people were taking, and staff observed for side effects. Records showed that people did not require support with their medicines.

The care manager told us should people require support with medicines then they would ensure staff were given training and competency assessed prior to administering medicines. A medicine policy was in place.