George Springall Homecare Partnership

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 good.

This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 72 (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 identify and embed good practice. Staff knew how to report accident and incidents. The registered manager told us they shared any learning with staff in face-to-face team meetings and also individually with members of staff.

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. The service had a service user guide which referred to carers recording important aspects concerning people’s care within the care plan, which then supported subsequent carers and visiting health professionals to be informed on a daily basis. People’s records of care stored electronically enabled the service to provide up to date information to healthcare partners when required.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Systems were in place to report and investigate safeguarding concerns. The service raised safeguarding incidents appropriately and worked in partnership with the local authority to investigate and resolve concerns. Staff knew how to report safeguarding concerns to the office.

The provider did not always work well with people to understand and manage risks. Staff did not always provide care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Staff told us they knew about risks to people and how to reduce the likelihood of harm because risk assessments were in place.

However, people’s care plans were not always consistent. For example, in 1 part of a person’s care plan, they had been assessed as requiring support with their mobility as they were at risk of falls however, their mobility care plan stated, “does not require support.” In addition to this, the care plan stated, “assist to transfer” and, “assist to walk” however, did not include any further information to instruct staff on how to assist the person. We discussed the inconsistencies with the registered manager who told us they would review the care plans to address our concerns.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. Environmental risk assessments were carried out by the service to ensure risks were mitigated. For example, the service identified hazards such as loose/frayed carpet and guided the carers to report to the office if they identified any hazardous substances in the property.

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. The provider carried out pre-employment checks including obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service certificate. Disclosure and Barring Service checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. The provider actioned spot checks, competency checks, supervisions and refresher training. The registered manager had oversight of the training which was recorded on an electronic system and this system identified any overdue training.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading. Care records informed staff to wear correct personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times and to follow correct infection control measures.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Not all people needed support with their medicines and this was recorded with the care records.Information regarding risks in relation to flammable creams was recorded within the care records. Medication Administration Records were added electronically by staff. Staff told us they received training and “there is always another carer that comes in after you and they will report any errors they find." Records showed themes and trends were not always identified. We have reported this under governance.