Alcedo Care Liverpool Region

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 of this registered 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. Staff responded effectively to incidents, such as falls and minor injuries, by adapting care routines and improving safety checks. Care plans were reviewed and updated, and incidents were used to improve practice. For example, after a fall, staff added safety checks and reviewed equipment use. Also after a person was found partially off their bed, staff reviewed equipment use and updated care tasks to prevent recurrence. Incident records showed timely responses, good communication with families, and reflective practice. One staff member said, “We always talk about what went wrong and how to make it better next 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. Care plans were person-centred and included detailed risk assessments and contingency arrangements. Transitions were well managed, with families involved in planning and emergency protocols clearly documented. One person’s care plan included specific controls for risks such as going out unaccompanied and sensory sensitivities, with tailored staffing and environmental adjustments.

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 a good understanding of safeguarding, including types of abuse and how to escalate concerns. Spot checks confirmed safe practice and knowledge of safeguarding procedures. The whistleblowing policy was clear and accessible, and staff feedback indicated a strong safeguarding culture. One staff member said, “Safeguarding means protecting people from harm and speaking up if something’s not right.”

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. Care plans reflected individual preferences and needs, such as support with mobility, continence, and skin integrity. One person’s plan included specific requests for privacy and carer preferences, which were respected by staff. Another person’s plan incorporated family-written content and pictorial aids to support understanding and involvement. A person told us, “They know me well and take time to get to know my dog. No issues whatsoever.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Homes had appropriate safety equipment such as smoke detectors and lifelines, and carers were aware of hazards like pets and trip risks. For example, 1 person’s house had a step at the front door and potential lighting issues, which were documented and monitored. Staff respected people’s homes and adapted care to ensure safety, such as using pressure-relieving equipment and maintaining clear pathways. One person said, “They always leave the house clean and wear PPE, no complaints.”

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. Staffing levels were appropriate. Spot checks showed good practice in infection control, medication, and manual handling. However, some supervision records were expired, and lateness was noted across several staff members, with late sign-ins recorded in a four-week period. While this did not appear to impact safety significantly, it was flagged for operational review.

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. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was available and used correctly, and staff followed hygiene protocols during visits. Spot checks confirmed compliance. No concerns were raised about Infection Prevention Control (IPC) and people’s homes were kept clean and safe. One person said, “They always wear gloves and masks and treat my [relative] well.”

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. Medication audits identified areas for improvement, such as missing documentation and unclear instructions. Staff demonstrated knowledge of the “7 Rights” and understood when not to administer medication. The ‘7 rights’ of medication administration are a key part of safe practice in health and social care. They help make sure people get the right medicine in the right way A person told us, “Meds are given safely.” Another family member said, “They watch [relative] take their meds and always let me know if anything’s changed.”