Homely Supported Living Ltd

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.

The provider used systems to learn from accidents and incidents. Incidents and accidents had been recorded with actions taken to ensure people were safe. Records showed lessons had been learnt when incidents occurred to minimise the risk of reoccurrence.

The provider worked with people and professionals to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed and monitored.

The service completed an initial needs assessment before people started using the service. This process included introductory meetings with people and their relatives, providing information about the service to ease transition. The provider involved people and their relatives to develop the care plan.

People were also supported to go to health appointments when needed and a health action plan was in place that provided details of these visits. Records were also available of people’s care and support needs to ensure external agencies had access to people’s support needs to ensure continuity of care.

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 had a safeguarding policy that defined types of abuse and instructed staff on how to escalate concerns and protect people.

Relatives told us that people felt safe when supported by staff. A person told us, “I like living here, it is safe.” A relative commented, “Whilst I’ve been at the home they’ve been loving and supportive and [person] feels safe.”

We observed people were comfortable at the supported living site we visited and felt at ease with staff.

Staff had been trained on safeguarding processes and knew how to recognise abuse and who to report to. A staff member told us, “Safeguarding is protecting someone, like the people we support from abuse and to live safely without abuse and neglect. If I see abuse, I will report to my line manager or local authority immediately and also step in to make sure the person is safe.”

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks. 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 had been completed to ensure people received safe support and care. Risk assessments had been completed on falls, fire safety, sunburn due to hot weather and when people were feeling anxious. Assessments included the identified risks and detailed how to mitigate those risks to ensure people received safe care and support.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment.

The provider assessed risks within people’s home environment. These assessments evaluated identified risks such as inhabitable living environments and ensuring there was not any potential hazards that may place people at risk. A person told us, “It is a nice place to live.” A staff member commented, “People are receiving good and safe care and are happy living at their homes.”

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 had completed key training to perform their roles effectively, such as on health and safety and first aid. Staff had also received specialist training on learning disabilities and epilepsy. The provider used a training matrix to ensure oversight of training. A staff member commented, “They provide me with good quality training. The training is very helpful.”

Records showed that staff had received an induction when starting their role as a carer, which included shadowing experienced members of staff. A relative commented, “Yes, to be honest they are good at their job.” Another relative told us, “The staff were really kind, and I really like how they support the individuals under their care.”

There were appropriate numbers of staff on duty to support people safely in their homes. We observed staff were available to support people when required.

Staff received regular supervision and told us they were supported in their roles. Appraisals had also been completed for staff members working for more than 12 months. A staff member told us, “[Registered manager] is one of the best, she supports me whenever I need. She is very nice.”

The service carried out relevant pre-employment checks to ensure staff were able to provide care to vulnerable people. Checks included criminal records checks, right to work in the UK, references and proof of the person’s identity had been carried out to ensure staff were of good character.

The provider had an effective approach to assessing and managing the risk of infection, which is in line with current relevant national guidance.

Staff had received infection control training and infection control care plans were in place to ensure staff followed good infection control practises. Risk assessments on infection control had been completed to minimise risks associated with infections, such as on cross contamination. We observed that a supported living site we visited was clean and tidy with regular cleaning taking place.

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

People received medicines as prescribed. A medicine policy was in place. Medicines audits were carried out to ensure people received and administered their medicines safely. We observed medicines were securely stored. A relative told us, “They do administer medicines. They are very good at giving [person] medicines. They have a really good routine for it.”

Staff had been trained on medicine management and received medicine competency assessment to ensure they were competent to manage medicines safely should people require support with medicines.