Short Term Assessment and Re-ablement Service

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 as 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.

The leadership team were open and transparent and wanted to drive improvement. Staff were encouraged to report any concerns to management. Where incidents had occurred the management team investigated thoroughly and shared all relevant information with healthcare professionals as appropriate, ensuring the safety of people supported and the best outcomes moving forward.

Safety incidents were logged on a spreadsheet with subsequent actions to be taken. The incidents were discussed at staff and management meetings, promoting learning and improvement. Information and learning were also shared via email and refresher training provided if necessary.

Staff understood how to report incidents and felt comfortable to do so, with one staff member saying, “I feel really confident in raising safety concerns if they occur.”

An evaluation form was given to each person and their families to gain feedback and understand where improvement might be needed. We saw evidence of this information being used effectively and learning taken from the feedback provided.
 

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.

Staff worked collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care. One staff member told us, “We work collaboratively with GPs, District Nurses, emergency services, colleagues, and management, depending on the situation”.
A very structured process ensured a smooth transition for people when they began being supported by STARs and also as they transitioned out of their care.

Care and support were planned with people and their families and where appropriate other care agencies to ensure continuity of care. The service benefitted from direct access to a occupational therapy service who could source equipment and provide the relevant training and risk assessments to ensure people were kept safe and had the correct level of support.
 

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 received safeguarding training and could confidently identify signs of abuse. The service had a safeguarding policy and a domestic abuse policy which helped to ensure that staff were aware of the different types of abuse.

Staff explained clearly the process for escalating any concerns and understood the importance of safeguarding people. One staff member said, “Safeguarding principles are embedded in daily practice when supporting service users in the community”. Staff could also explain the process to follow to keep themselves safe, should they find themselves at risk.

People who used the service said they felt completely safe with the carers and were confident in their abilities and training. One person said, “I really lost my confidence and they made me feel safe.”
The provider explained how they ensure oversight and management of any safeguarding concerns through audits, speaking regularly to the managers, encouraging the right culture within the service and taking action when required.
 

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.
There was a proactive approach to risk management which ensured people’s safety by identifying, assessing and reducing potential harm. An environmental risk assessment took place each time a new person was admitted to the service which ensured people and staff were kept safe. If any equipment was sourced from the occupational therapy team a risk assessment was also completed.
We saw evidence of appropriate risk assessments in people’s care files, such as a moving and handling risk assessment.
 

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

People’s homes were assessed to ensure they were safe for individuals and staff. Consideration was given to the inside of the property including electrical safety and the presence of any pets, and also the outside, such as loose or slippery paving. One person told us, “STARS came out and did an assessment all about trip hazards and safety in the home and asked all about me.”

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 with the necessary checks completed before they began working for the service. New staff received a structured induction and shadowing period as well as on going training to ensure they had the skills and confidence to carry out their roles effectively.
Supervisions and competency checks supported continuous development and maintained safe practice. These observations were extremely thorough ensuring that every aspect of the service was observed and a high standard of care was provided.
Staff received regular one to ones where they were able to discuss wellbeing, workload, discuss any medication errors that may have occurred and review any training and development needs.
 

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.

People told us staff supported them in ways that promoted good infection prevention and control (IPC), helping them to feel safe in their own homes. Part of the induction focused on correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and staff training on was up to date.
 

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.
An assessment was completed to understand the level of support that people required to manage their medicines safely. This information was recorded in care plans and staff received training and competency checks to ensure they could administer medicines safely. Where medication errors did occur, staff took appropriate action and were supported by their manager to understand how the error had occurred and how the risk of future errors could be mitigated.
Some people wished to maintain their own independence in the administration of medicines which was respected and managed effectively. One person told us, “I do my own tablets but STARS sorted out blister packs so that I can do them myself.”