Archived: 1 Southdowns View

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• 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. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained 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. The deputy manager explained how they analyse any accidents and incidents to look for patterns or trends. This included any accidents involving staff. Relatives told us, “[Name] is very safe, and we have had no complaints or incidents that have caused any concern." Another relative told us, “The carers are well trained in manual handling and there have been no accidents."

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. Pre-assessments were carried out by the management team before they took on new care packages. Care plans were updated yearly and were reviewed if there were any changes in need. One person told us,“Kestrel was recommended to me, and they discussed my needs, and a care plan was agreed." A relative told us, “As their health has declined the care plan has been reviewed and changes made to suit her increasing needs."

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 management team had good knowledge of safeguarding procedures and knew what to do to recognise and raise a safeguarding. Staff received safeguarding training, and people were given details about safeguarding in their welcome pack, in their home. One person told us, “I feel safe as I have a regular carer." Another person told us, “I feel safe with the girls as I know them well now."

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. The manager told us risk assessments were carried out as part of their pre-assessments, and they updated these accordingly. Risk assessments were documented in people’s care plans. For example, people had specific risk assessments for mobility and specialist equipment. Staff could access risk assessments in people’s homes. One person told us, “A comprehensive care plan was completed by the manager as well as risk assessments.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Risk assessments of people’s homes and environment were detailed in their care plans. Including any equipment they use, such as hoists and hospital beds. One person told us, “Tidy workers and they do keep my home tidy." And another person told us, “They help with other household tasks which I am grateful for."

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 rotas and recruitment process were viewed and the service had good staff retention. Feedback from people and their relatives was positive, comments included: “They trust their carers and feel comfortable with them due to the excellent continuity of care from the same people.” And “They are a very efficient company who provide well trained carers." The management team told us, “I am very proud of the team and the clients and how they all pull together whether it be due to staff sickness, or the clients understanding when there is snow and not worrying when calls will be later.”

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. Infection prevention and control (IPC) polices were in place and staff had access to the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff had training to reduce the spread of infection. A relative told us, “They are very good at cleaning up and always wear their gloves and aprons."

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. Staff had received training to administer people’s medicines safely and as prescribed. The electronic medication administration record (MAR) system was checked weekly by the deputy manager to look for any issues. One person told us, “They (staff) support with medication and everything is recorded accurately." Another person told us, “The carers support with medication and there have never been any incidents where medication has been missed or any errors." Staff told us, “Yes, lots of medication training, most in depth. It contains a lot of information and learning and a test at the end. It's very thorough. The managers are also very knowledgeable, we can always phone the office and check for reassurance, it's really good.