Blue Ribbon Community Care in South West London

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.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained 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 any safety concerns to the relevant professionals without delay. There were clear processes for reporting accidents and incidents, and the registered manager was aware of the procedures to follow. Staff told us the management team always listened to any safety issues they raised and were confident the appropriate action would be taken. One staff member told us, “The procedure is in place to report any concerns.”

The registered manager told us staff learned from safety incidents. They told us “We will put learning in a digital notice board to make sure staff see this. We also speak about incidents in team meetings to make sure staff understand their obligations.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They ensured continuity of care, including when people were admitted or discharged from hospital. Staff were aware of the risks people faced and worked closely with a range of health and social care professionals to ensure people’s needs were met. We saw examples of referrals made when people’s needs changed or their health deteriorated.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. People and their relatives told us they were safe using the service. Relatives’ comments included “My [family member] is safe in the hands of her carers” and “They are very good and trustworthy. I feel comfortable when I know they are there.”

The provider had safeguarding policies and procedures in place and the management team had a good understanding of their responsibilities. They shared safeguarding concerns quickly and appropriately with the relevant professionals. Staff completed safeguarding training and were confident the registered manager would address any concerns immediately. Staff members’ comments included “The service users are safe and if any concerns we have company policies and procedures to look through and take it further to team leaders and management” and “People using the service are protected from the risk of abuse. I am aware of safeguarding procedures and know how to report any concerns if they arise.”

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. People’s risks were assessed and staff spent time through shadowing and supervision sessions to fully understand them, with guidance in place to help support them safely. Risk assessments covered different areas of people’s needs such as moving and handling. People and their relatives confirmed they were fully involved when discussing risks and said staff understood how to keep them safe. One relative told us, “The majority of the staff know the care risks, and on the rare occasion where we have had concerns they have been addressed quickly and effectively through the manager. Generally, the staff take great care to ensure my [family member] is safe and happy before they leave each visit, making sure she has full access to her phone and falls watch and that all personal care needs have been met.”

Staff understood risks to people’s care. Their comments included, “My client has an updated care plan and risk assessment.” “I was shown up to date care plans and risk assessments during my shadowing”. “Care plans and risk assessments are in place and accessible, and I am informed of any relevant updates.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. The provider conducted internal and external environmental risk assessments during the initial assessment in people’s homes to ensure it was safe for staff to provide care. The management team had effective arrangements to monitor the safety and upkeep of people’s homes, even if this was not part of the care provided. This included regular spot checks to observe the safety of the environment. Where safety issues or hazards were identified by staff, they were addressed appropriately.

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. The provider also followed safe recruitment practices to ensure staff were safe and competent to work with people. People and their relatives commented positively about the skillset and experience of their care workers. Their comments included, “Blue Ribbon have worked hard to provide consistency with the staff they provide and the staff often go above and beyond.” Another relative said carers were “On time and regular known carers” and “They arrive on time. They are there when they are supposed to be.” The provider monitored staff arrived on time through an electronic monitoring system that sent real time alerts to demonstrate when care calls started and finished.

Staff were positive about their training and supervision opportunities and told us they had access to both online and face to face training. Staff said they were given the support needed to conduct their role. Their comments included, “I'm given ongoing training throughout my work. I am given support and have had supervisions. I have had a spot check but as I am on night shifts this was done in the morning at the end of the shift. I received a good induction into my role.” Another care worker said, “I've been supported to go through my training smoothly with no problems.” Records showed staff had received appropriate training which included training in learning disabilities and autistic people.

Documents showed there was a clear induction process in place which included training and shadowing. Supervisions and appraisals were in place and staff received these regularly. Records evidenced safe recruitment processes. Records showed up to date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks as well as 2 references requested when staff were recruited as well as right to work checks.

The provider said they were committed to supporting people in their roles. The Nominated Individual told us, “We use a range of supervision tools. We have done investors in people. We are less interested in policing and more interested in supporting people in the job.”

The provider had an effective approach to assessing and managing the risk of infection, with policies and training aligned with current best practice guidance. People and their relatives confirmed their home environments were left clean and tidy. One relative told us, “The home is always left clean and tidy.”

The provider’s spot checks monitored the hygiene and cleanliness of people’s homes and checked staff were following best practice. Staff told us they were reminded of their responsibilities during supervision and regular telephone check-ins. Staff confirmed they had completed training and always had access to sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The provider made sure medicines were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. Care records included important information about people’s medicines and records confirmed they received their medicines as prescribed.

People and their relatives confirmed they were given their medicines correctly and on time. One relative told us, “I have no concerns about the care staff giving my mother the right medicines at the right time.”

Staff completed training and the registered manager ensured all responsible staff had their competency assessed annually. Staff told us they received support to manage people’s medicines. People and their relatives were positive about how this support was managed.