Head Office

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. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

The provider had systems in place to review and investigate accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns. Whilst there had not been any, the registered manager talked through the actions they would take which included reporting to the necessary agencies such as local authority safeguarding and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They said they would investigate the situation to identify if any actions were required and if any lessons were to be learned.

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.

People’s needs were assessed prior to them receiving a service which supported the development of their care plan. The registered manager explained that information would be shared between services as required to ensure the person received continuity in their care.

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 provider had systems in place to safeguard people from the risk of harm and abuse. The provider had policies in place which guided staff on the actions they should take should they suspect harm or abuse had taken place. The registered manager was able to explain the actions they would take to report and investigate safeguarding concerns. This included reporting safeguarding concerns to the local authority, CQC and the police if necessary.

Staff had the knowledge and confidence to identify safeguarding concerns and take action to keep people safe. A staff member told us, “If there were any safeguarding concerns I would communicate with my registered manager first. I have seen a file containing information regarding safeguarding concerns and who I can inform such as the council, I have been given contact numbers as well.”

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.

Risk assessments were in place to guide staff on how to provide care and support safely. Risks to people’s personal safety were assessed, reviewed and managed well to ensure they remained safe. Equipment safety checks were completed and any concerns identified would be reported so these could be rectified. A staff member told us, “I will report to manager if I have any safety concerns like falls risk or choking risk. Olive Care (The provider) prioritise regular risk assessments of the client.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

Environmental risk assessments were in place to ensure staff were safe whilst supporting people.

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 received an induction when they started working for the service along with additional core training which was appropriate and relevant to their role. Staff training was recorded and monitored to ensure they remained up to date with their knowledge and skills.

The provider ensured there were enough skilled and experienced staff, who received support, supervision and development to help them carry out their role. A staff member told us, “Currently staffing is organised by the registered manager and a rota is given in advance based on availability, there is enough staff to meet their required needs.”

The provider followed robust recruitment practices to make sure all staff were suitably experienced, competent and able to carry out their role. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were carried out. These provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

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.

The provider had systems in place for assessing and managing the risk of infection, which was in line with current relevant national guidance. There was a policy in place and training for staff on the prevention and control of infection. Unannounced spot checks were completed by the registered manager to ensure staff were wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and following hand washing guidance.

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.

At the time of the assessment, the provider was not supporting anyone to administer their medicines. There was a policy in place which outlined how medicines would be managed safely. The registered manager explained the processes they would follow to ensure people received their medicines safely which included identifying what support people required during the pre-assessment, completing regular audits and ensuring staff were appropriately trained and had their competencies checked prior to administering medicines.