Radfield Home Care Chingford & Loughton

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.

Systems were in place to learn from lessons following accidents and incidents.

Records of incidents and accidents were kept and analysed. Staff documented any events, and the registered manager carried out review on them. Lessons were learnt as part of these reviews. This process helped reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring again, supporting people to remain as safe as possible while using the service.

The provider worked with people and professionals to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care when people were being supported.

Systems were in place to capture information as part of the pre-assessment process to determine if the service could support people safely. This included speaking with the person and their relatives.

Pre-assessment had been completed and used to record key information about people’s support and care needs to determine the support required such as on personal care and support needs. This information was then used to create personalised care plans based on people’s preferences and choices on the support they required.

A hospital passport was in place that included people’s background and care needs to ensure the person had continuity of care should they be in an alternative setting. People were supported if required to attend hospital appointments. A relative told us, “The carers were very supportive in getting [person] into hospital when they needed to.”

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.

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.

People and relatives told us that people felt safe when supported by staff, reflecting a positive perception of the service's commitment to safety and wellbeing. A person told us, “They are a very nice team. They are interested in me and making sure I am OK.” A relative commented, “We have met all the carers and know everybody now. All super friendly.”

Staff knew about safeguarding processes and had received training in this area. The training included identifying indicators of abuse, understanding the various forms abuse could take and learning the appropriate procedures to follow should any concerns be raised. A staff member told us, “[Safeguarding] to protect myself and my client [person]. Protecting each person from abuse, neglect like someone who is violent, treat you badly, you have to report. Report to your office, or the family, can call 999 for any danger.”

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.

Risk assessments were in place to ensure people received safe care. Risks had been identified and there were risk assessments to ensure people were safe when being supported such as on falls management and skin integrity. Guidance was in place for staff to follow on what actions to take in relation to manage risks to make sure people remained as safe as possible.

Risk assessments were reviewed, and any changes were reflected with updated risk assessments.

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

Risk assessments had been completed on people’s home environment. Information included details on risks or hazards within the environment to ensure care and support could be provided to people in a safe way and risks to staff and people were minimised such as on fire safety and living arrangements.

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 such as on safeguarding, food safety and basic life support. Specialist training was also completed, including key topic areas such as mental health and dementia. A relative commented, “All the carers seem very good and well trained.”

Records showed that new staff underwent a structured induction upon starting with the service. Evidence of completed induction forms was available, demonstrating a consistent approach. The induction covered several vital areas, including initial training, familiarisation with the service’s policies and procedures, shadowing experienced staff and opportunities for staff to get to know people they would be supporting. This process helped new staff integrate smoothly into the service and ensured they were adequately prepared for their roles. A staff member told us, “I got good induction, whole new care certificate, online and face to face, I had in person training on first aid. I am up to date with my training.” A relative commented, “I like the way that any new carers shadow an experienced carer before they come by themselves.”

Regular supervisions had been carried out to ensure staff were supported. Staff confirmed they received regular supervisions and support from the registered manager. A staff member told us, “If I have any concern, any problems, I can call my manager. They are good in providing support.”

The service used a digital system to monitor staff timekeeping. The system alerted management if staff were late for calls, which then the office could monitor. A dedicated staff member was in place to monitor staff call logs. The system gave the service oversight of staff timekeeping. The data showed staff arrived to calls on time. A person told us, “They come in on time, and I think they’re all lovely people.” A relative told us, “All good with timings so far.”

Records showed relevant pre-employment checks, such as criminal records checks, right to work in the UK, references and proof of the staff’s identity had been carried out. This helped ensure people using the service were not cared for by anyone barred from working with vulnerable people.

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

Systems were in place to prevent infection. Staff were able to tell us the process of ensuring people were protected from infection such as good hygiene protocols and wearing personal protective equipment and that they had been trained in infection control. Competency assessments and spot checks were completed to ensure staff adhered to good infection control processes.

People and relatives told us that staff followed good infection control processes. A person commented, “They always wash up anything and sweep the floor before they leave. They always wear their gloves and aprons.” A relative told us, “They always wash hands when they get here. They wear gloves and aprons and come in uniform.”

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

Medicines were managed safely. Medicines Administration Records (MARs) showed that medicines had been administered as prescribed. For medicine to be administered as needed, protocols were in place to ensure the medicine was administered safely.

Medicines audits were carried out to ensure people received their medicines safely. Medicine support plans were in place that included the support people required with medicines.

Staff had also been trained in medicines management. Staff told us they were confident in managing medicines. The registered manager was able to demonstrate the process of ensuring medicines were managed safely such as training being delivered to staff and competency assessments being carried out to check staff knowledge on safe medicine management.