Yourlife (Clevedon)

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 the 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 registered manager had a positive learning culture that was based on an open and honest approach. They spoke of the importance of providing people with safe care. They held staff meetings and completed supervisions. These were an opportunity to discuss any additional training requirements and how improvements could be made to people’s care and support. The registered manager made referrals to the local authority and health and social care professionals and notifications were submitted to the Care Quality Commission when required. This meant they continued to identify and embed good practice, so people received the best care possible.

The registered manager liaised with healthcare partners to establish and maintain a safe system of care for people. People were supported by staff who knew them well. Staff were available within the building to support people if needed. This included with routine access to health care support such as the person’s GP or allied health professional or in an emergency situation. Where people were independent staff told us they respected the person’s wishes. They confirmed they were available to support people in an emergency situation such as if they called for assistance with their emergency pendent alarm. One person told us how helpful this had been following a recent fall where they had to use their call bell. They told us staff were quick to respond in that emergency situation. One member of staff told us, “I always respect them.” They went on to say they always speak to the person so the person can make the decision themselves.

The registered manager worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them. People told us they were happy with the support provided by the service and the care staff. One person told us, “I’m very happy with them.” Another person told us, “Excellent care.” Staff received training in safeguarding adults, and they had a good knowledge of how to identify abuse and who to raise concerns with. The provider had a quality assurance system that ensured safeguarding concerns were documented, along with what actions and referrals and notifications were made. Staff felt people got safe care and the provider’s safeguarding policy was accessible to staff within the service should they need to access this.

People’s care plans held important information such as if the person had capacity. All people at the time of the inspection were able to make decisions about their care. People told us they felt supported by staff who were respectful. One person when asked if staff were respectful, told us, “Definitely.” Staff confirmed they always respected people’s wishes.

The registered manager worked with people to understand and manage risks. People’s care plans were comprehensive and contained important information and guidance for staff. The registered manager ensured people received safe, supportive care that enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Where people needed support, for example with their mobility, information was available to staff in how to use the person’s equipment. People were supported by staff who knew them well. However, we found some improvements were needed to ensure one person’s care plan had information on how staff were to support with a catheter care procedure including cleaning the connecting bag. Another person’s care plan needed to confirm where staff could find the person’s comprehensive moving and handling guidance. The registered manager confirmed all staff had been provided with additional bespoke training in how to use equipment. People felt supported by staff. One person told us staff were, “Very supportive.”

The registered manager ensured people had any risks identified and equipment provided so they received safe care. Care plans contained important information such as what equipment people used, if they had an emergency contact and where staff could find the person’s utility supply should they need this. People were encouraged to wear their pendant alarm, and staff were always accessible within the building should people need to call them in the event of an emergency.

People were supported by enough staff. The provider ensured staff were skilled and experienced and training was provided to ensure staff were competent in their roles. Most staff had completed the Care Certificate. The Care Certificate is modular training that ensures staff have a set of minimum working standards. To enhance their understanding of a person's needs new members of staff also shadowed more experienced members of staff. The registered manager supported staff to undertake further development. Examples included, staff undertaking a diploma in Health and Social Care in either a level 2 or 3. Staff had regular supervisions, team meetings and all staff felt the registered manager was supportive and accessible should they need them.

The provider ensured staff had identification checks prior to working in the service. The registered manager completed a risk assessment reviewing any previous Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) whilst staff were awaiting a satisfactory DBS check for their employment with the service. All but 1 member of staff had 2 completed previous employment references. Although the provider’s audit had identified this shortfall, we recommend 2 employment references are sought as per our requirements. We raised this with the registered manager so they could review this and make any improvements needed to how staff are recruited.

The registered manager assessed and managed the risk of infection. People were supported by staff who received training in how to use personal protective equipment safely. Staff had access to personal protective equipment and people told us staff used gloves and aprons when supporting them with personal care.

The registered manager made sure people received their medicines safely. People were supported by staff who had received training in the safe administration of medicines. Practical competency checks were also completed for staff regularly. Where people needed support with their medicines this information was documented within the person’s care plan and medicines administration chart. Risk assessments were completed confirming if the person was independent with their medicines and if not, what support they might require from staff. Where people were supported with topical creams and emollients, documentation confirmed where staff were to apply the topical cream and how often and if the medication posed a possible fire risk.

The registered manager had a positive learning culture around the management of medicines. This included reviewing any incidents and providing training and any improvements to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.