Invicta 24 Plus

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 inspection we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment, the provider had made improvements and no longer in breach of regulation relating to safe care and treatment. The rating has changed to 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 reported safety events promptly.

Systems were in place which enabled staff to report and record safety events promptly. A staff member told us, “When concerns arise, we promptly report and record these so that appropriate actions can be taken to keep everyone safe.”

Managers investigated these events and acted to reduce the risk of them reoccurring. Outcomes and learning from investigations were shared with the staff team, to help them continually improve their practice and keep people safe.

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.

Managers obtained information about people, their individual needs and risks to their safety, prior to them using the service. Information obtained through these arrangements was used to develop individualised care and risk management plans for people which were shared with staff before they commenced a package of care. A relative told us, “At the point when we started the service, we were left with a folder that provides information about [family member’s] care plan and the company’s policies and complaints procedure.” Another relative said, “We have a comprehensive care plan that was completed after my [family member’s] discharge from hospital.”

Managers worked with the relevant health and social care professionals to make sure care plans and risk assessments reflected people’s current needs and supporting people to stay safe.

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.

People had no concerns about the staff providing their care and support. One person told us, “I feel very safe as they are kind and very supportive.” A relative said, “I feel very reassured that [family member] is safe with the carers, as they are trustworthy and communicate well with me.”

Staff understood their duty to safeguard people. A staff member told us, “We make sure people are protected from abuse or neglect by following clear safeguarding procedures…We also receive regular training from our organisation which helps us to understand the needed steps to take whenever we think that an individual we support might be in danger of abuse or neglect, making sure that everyone’s safety and wellbeing are always prioritised.”

Managers understood their responsibility to make timely referrals when concerns were raised with them, and to work with relevant partners to ensure people were safeguarded from further risk.

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.

The provider had made improvements in this area. People’s records now contained current and detailed information about risks to their safety and how these should be managed to keep people safe from harm. Systems were in place to ensure risks to people were assessed, monitored and reviewed.

Staff understood how to manage identified risks to people. One person told us, “They use the hoist, and I feel safe.” A relative said, “Manual handling is very efficient and there have been no safety concerns.” A staff member told us, “We identify the risks to people we are supporting by thoroughly reviewing their care plans and risk assessments, which are regularly updated to reflect any changes in their needs or circumstances.”

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

Managers assessed potential risks from people’s living environment and put measures in place to reduce these, to keep people safe. They made sure risk management plans were monitored and reviewed at regular intervals to make sure the measures put in place to reduce risks, remained appropriate.

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.

People received care and support from a regular team of staff. This ensured they received consistent care from staff who understood how their needs should be met in line with their preferences. One person told us, “I have the same carers.” A relative said, “[Family member] has wonderful continuity of care and the carers understand his complex needs.”

Staff received regular and relevant training and were supported to continuously learn and improve in their roles through supervision and appraisal of their work performance. A staff member told us, “The training ensures that we are up to date with the needed skills that will help us to do our work properly.”

There were safe recruitment practices at the service. Managers undertook the necessary checks required on staff that applied to work at the service, to make sure they were suitable to support people.

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 followed current practice to reduce infection risks. A relative told us, “Their hygiene is good, and they pay attention to ensuring gloves are changed and hands are washed.” Another relative said, “Infection control is good, and the carers are tidy workers.”

Staff were provided with relevant training and support to help them reduce infection risks in people’s homes. Managers made sure staff had access to supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to help them minimise infection risks to people.

Managers undertook regular spot checks on staff’s practice to ensure this was in line with standards and national guidance for minimising infection risks when supporting people.

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

The provider had made improvements in this area. Records maintained about people’s medicines had improved. People told us they consistently received the medicines prescribed to them. Medicines records supported this. A relative told us, “They manage medications very well and have a MARs sheet (medicines administration record) with all meds listed, and (they) record all [family member] has been given, accurately.”

Staff were provided with relevant training and supported to manage and administer medicines safely. Managers undertook spot checks on staff and assessed their competency at regular intervals, to make sure they continued to remain safe and competent to administer and manage people’s medicines.