Disability Action Yorkshire

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 inspection 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. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. There was a positive culture of analysis and looking for lessons that could be learned or improvements that could be made. Staff told us managers took the time to explain things if they needed them to. One staff member said that when the new care records system was being introduced; “[Registered manager] came to explain the new system to me and the customers. She took the time.”

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.

Where needed, staff supported people to access a range of health care professionals.

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. Staff had received training in safeguarding people from abuse. Staff were confident that any concerns they raised would be dealt with promptly and appropriately.

People told us they felt safe using the service. A relative said, “[Person who used the service] is very comfortable with the carers therefore I’d say [person] is in a safe environment.”

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.

Risks were well managed, and care plans and risk assessments were person centred. People were involved in all decisions about their care and support. A new electronic care records system had recently been introduced to support the service and management of risks.

Staff understood how to support people in a way that ensured risks were managed whilst respecting and promoting people’s choices and independence. A staff member said, “It’s important we listen to people. If anything needs changing, we can tell managers.”

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 relating to people’s homes were completed during initial assessments and updated if any changes occurred.

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.

All required recruitment checks were in place. There were enough skilled and experienced staff deployed to provide people with individual support, that met their needs and preferences.

Staff received a wide range of effective training and competency checks. Supervisions and appraisals were in place and staff told us they felt very supported. A staff member said, “We have supervision, the support is good.”

People told us they knew the staff who supported them and were positive about the staff’s knowledge and skills. A person said, “I have regular carers to support me, and I can call emergency contact for any extra visits.”

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. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control and had access to personal protective equipment (PPE).

Medicines were managed and administered safely. The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff had received training to administer medicines safely and had their competency and skills assessed regularly.