Mather Care Limited

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.

People told us they felt safe, and although no accidents or incidents had occurred since the service began operating, the provider had established appropriate systems for recording and reviewing them. Staff were knowledgeable about these processes and explained they would report any accident or incident to the office once they had ensured the person was safe and their immediate needs had been met.

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 transition into the service had been well managed, with seamless coordination between staff and external professionals. There was consistent continuity of support from district nurses, GPs and other health and social care partners, ensuring information was shared appropriately and there were no gaps in communication or care.

A relative told us, “My mum has had this service on and off for about four years. Mum has had several hospital admissions and a couple of periods of respite, and the staff are always very attentive and aware of her vulnerability.”

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 told us they felt safe being supported by staff and were confident they could report any concerns. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and were assured in raising concerns with leaders. They told us they had completed safeguarding training for both adults and children, and this was refreshed regularly to maintain their knowledge. A staff member told us, “Safeguarding is very important to me. I want all our clients to be in no harm.”

Staff had also received training in the Mental Capacity Act (MCA). Care records included assessments of people’s capacity, and staff understood, individuals may lack capacity to make significant decisions but could still make day‑to‑day choices about their care and support. Staff were aware they should report any concerns about a person’s capacity to the office, who would then make a referral to the appropriate professional.

All people we spoke with confirmed they felt safe and knew how to report concerns either to the provider or to external agencies.

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.

Risks to people were assessed, and both individuals and their next of kin were involved in developing risk assessments to ensure support was delivered safely. Staff were aware of who was at risk of falls, skin breakdown or weight loss, and risk assessments clearly described the actions they should take to minimise each risk.

Moving and handling assessments were detailed and specified the correct equipment to use, and the number of staff required to support people safely. Staff told us they had continuous access to risk assessments through the Nurse Buddy electronic care planning system. People were supported by a consistent staff team who knew them well and understood how to reduce risks effectively. A staff member told us, “If someone had fallen I would assess the situation, make sure they are safe and if needed, call the emergency services.”

A relative told us, “My sister is really happy with the carers. She has two carers, four times a day, who look after her very well. She is bed bound now and feels very safe when they use the hoist or help her move to help her avoid bedsores.”

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

The provider assessed people’s home environments to ensure they and staff could work safely within the property. Checks were completed to confirm smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors were installed and functioning, and that gas and electrical appliances were safe to use.

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 were recruited safely, and appropriate pre‑employment checks were completed to assure the provider they were suitable to support vulnerable people. Staff received a structured induction and training that equipped them with the knowledge required for their roles. The registered manager assessed staff competency in areas such as moving and handling and administering medicines, providing further assurance that staff could work safely.

One staff member told us, “I received a full induction which covered things like the company’s policies and procedures, safeguarding, manual handling and medication. I had a few shifts with a member of management, and I was on the same run for a while with a confident carer.”

Staff received regular supervision and attended monthly staff meetings, which supported communication, information sharing and service updates. Unannounced spot checks were also carried out to ensure staff were performing their roles safely and effectively.

A relative told us, “My dad is very happy with the carers who arrive on time and stay for the full duration. He has a carer four times a day; sometimes it’s a regular one, but other times various ones. He gets on with them all!”

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 received training in infection prevention and control and understood the importance of effective hand hygiene and the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The provider ensured staff had access to the appropriate PPE so they could carry out their roles safely and effectively.

A relative told us, “The carers always wear PPE and [Name] feels safe in their care.”

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

People received their medicines as prescribed. Medication Administration Records (MARs) clearly set out which medicines were to be given and when. Additional instructions, such as medicines that must not be administered together, were also recorded on the MAR to guide staff practice.

Staff had completed training in the safe administration of medicines, and their competency was assessed annually by leaders. Where people required support with the application of topical creams, body maps were used to record the exact areas where creams should be applied, ensuring consistency and accuracy.