DBAGZ Solutions Limited Crawley

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 service demonstrated a learning culture where safety was openly discussed and embedded throughout practice.

Incident records showed that when concerns occurred, these were promptly recorded, reviewed, and escalated appropriately. Staff were encouraged to report incidents, and managers responded with openness and transparency, ensuring that people were supported immediately, and families were informed where required.

Learning from incidents was shared across the team to strengthen practice. Following one incident, professional practices were reinforced during team discussions. This demonstrated that incidents were treated as opportunities to learn, improve care delivery, and reduce future risk.

Staff understood their responsibilities to report any concerns. One staff member said, “If I have any concerns or if an incident occurs, I follow the correct procedures by informing management and completing the necessary documentation.”

There were systems in place to facilitate safe pathways and transfers for people.

Safety and continuity of care were supported through collaborative working with external professionals. The service worked closely with GPs, district nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, speech and language teams, dietitians, and reablement teams across multiple local authorities. This ensured that people’s care was planned holistically and adjusted promptly as their needs changed.

Transitions between services, including hospital discharge, were managed through effective communication and joint working. Care coordinators liaised regularly with partner agencies so that care plans reflected current assessments and professional guidance.

People were protected from the risk of abuse.

The provider showed an understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and took appropriate action when concerns arose. Safeguarding issues were reviewed within the incident management processes, with evidence that incidents were recorded and investigated.

Learning arising from safeguarding concerns was shared with staff to strengthen awareness and practice. Incidents relating to unsafe transfers and staff conduct were handled in line with safeguarding principles, ensuring that people were protected from harm and that staff understood expected standards of behaviour. Systems were in place to identify risk, act quickly, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Staff had the training and knowledge to ensure they could recognise when people may be unsafe and to identify potential signs of abuse. Staff understood processes for reporting these concerns. One staff member said, “If I have a concern or there is an incident, I make sure the client is safe first, then report it immediately and follow safeguarding procedures.”

People were safeguarded as staff and management worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were protected when issues around capacity had been identified.

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 were assessed in a person-centred way, enabling people to be involved in decisions about their care and safety. These ensured that staff had the information they needed to manage these risks safely. Care plans and risk assessments showed that environmental, mobility, and personal risks were identified and managed. Where risks existed, staff adopted a balanced approach that supported independence alongside safety. One staff member said, “I encourage independence by supporting individuals to do what they can for themselves, while ensuring their safety and wellbeing.”

Feedback from people and relatives was positive around how staff managed safety. People told us that staff used mobility equipment carefully and capably, while ensuring that health needs, such as catheter care was undertaken effectively. One relative said, “He’s got a catheter they do look after that. They empty regularly and change the bag once a week and change positioning and he gets sore. They use creams. They look after it well.”

Risks to people’s own living environment had been assessed.

Environmental risk assessments formed part of care planning and considered factors such as mobility, equipment use, and home safety.

Care staff were trained to follow environmental guidance within care plans, supporting people to remain safe in their own homes. Where risks were identified, actions were taken to mitigate these, helping to reduce accidents and maintain a safe living environment for people receiving care. One staff member said, “I always ensure the environment is safe by checking for hazards and making sure walkways are clear to prevent falls.”

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled, and experienced staff.

Staffing levels and deployment were planned to ensure safety and continuity, with teams organised by geographical area to promote consistency of carers. The use of company vehicles supported timely attendance and helped manage travel risks, particularly in rural locations where public transport was limited.

Scheduling systems ensured appropriate travel time and continuity of carers for people using the service. People and staff spoke positively about the consistency of schedules. One person said, “Oh yes, you see the same faces regularly. We have seen them all before.” One staff member said, “My rota is generally consistent, and I regularly visit the same service users, which helps me provide more personalised support.”

New staff completed a full induction and probationary period. Training had been identified and provided to staff according to the needs of the people receiving support. These included safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and medication. When required, more specialist support and training was provided to meet specific needs.

Staff were consistently recruited through an effective recruitment process that ensured they were safe to work with people. Appropriate checks had been completed prior to staff starting work which included checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

The provider had effective infection prevention and control systems in place.

Staff received mandatory and refresher training covering hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, waste disposal, and cleaning procedures. Infection prevention and control policies were reviewed regularly and aligned with national guidance.

Care plans included consideration of infection risks, particularly for people who were clinically vulnerable. PPE was readily available, monitored, and replenished. Regular audits and spot checks demonstrated ongoing compliance. One person said, “Staff always wear masks, aprons and gloves.”

Systems and processes were in place to ensure that people’s medicines were administered safely.

Staff had received training in the administration of medicines. Care plans and risk assessments were completed to support this. These contained information on medicines management, safe storage, and administration. One staff member said, “I completed induction training including medication administration and use this training in my daily work.”

Medicine administration charts were used by staff, and these were completed correctly. Leaders had good oversight of the medicines they managed. The management team audited these weekly and, where risks were identified, such as a person incorrectly reporting medication intake, actions included consultation and installation of a locked medication box, demonstrating learning and proactive risk reduction.

People told us that staff managed their medicines safely. One person said, “They help with my inhaler, they support me well.”