My Homecare Yorkshire

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 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.

Systems to record and analyse accidents and incidents were in place and routinely reviewed by the management team, who investigated all events to identify the cause. They took action to prevent reoccurrence. The registered manager gave us examples of how this approach had been used to make improvements to how some areas of the service were managed.

Staff described open discussions about lessons learned in meetings, such as reminders on staying safe in icy conditions after a staff fall.

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.

Assessments of care were detailed, and the management team considered compatibility, staff skills and availability before accepting new referrals, ensuring people’s needs could be safely met.

Staff used electronic systems for real‑time information sharing. Catheter and stoma care followed agreed processes. District nurses were involved when required, and we found timely escalation when necessary, for example in cases where a catheter was bypassing.

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.

There were appropriate processes and procedures in place to safeguard people from abuse and neglect. The registered manager and staff were clear about their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staff could describe how they would escalate concerns internally and externally if needed, and whistleblowing was openly discussed in supervisions and team meetings.

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.

People were involved in identifying and managing risks, and staff understood how to monitor and respond to changes. Care plans and risk assessments provided appropriate guidance on how to manage risks such as falls, poor mobility or using a hoist to mobilise people.

Staff described adapting support to promote independence while maintaining safety. For instance, encouraging individuals to go out or continue hobbies with appropriate risk management measures in place. Staff told us they supported people to keep safe by checking telecare devices and ensuring people had these close to hand. Staff provided examples of gradual, person centred approaches for people reluctant to accept care and who might be at risk of self-neglect.

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

Staff checked for environmental hazards at each visit, such as clutter or spills, and supported people to maintain safe environments.

Equipment used to mobilise people was checked to make sure it was safe for staff to use.

Where concerns about home environments were identified, the provider worked with social workers, district nurses and relatives to reduce risks and improve living conditions.

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.

The management team ensured staff had received a thorough induction; they told us the length of time new starters spent shadowing other staff varied depending on new staff’s needs and confidence.

Staff received regular supervision, appraisals, spot checks and opportunities for development. Staff felt supported and valued, and the stable workforce enabled continuity and safe care. People and relatives told us staff arrived on time and stayed for the full duration of the care calls, with no missed visits and minimal delays.

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 appropriate infection and prevention control training, including sessions delivered by external health promotion teams.

PPE was readily available and checked by managers during spot checks.

Environmental cleanliness was monitored in people’s homes, with staff supporting safe hygiene practices and escalating concerns, when required.

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.

Medicines were administered safely and in line with people’s needs. We identified some issues with the level of detail recorded for certain medicines and discussed these with the registered manager, who has since taken action to prevent them from happening again. Staff received medicines training and regular competency checks.

The service audited all medication administration records (MARs) monthly and discussed any patterns or concerns in weekly operations meetings. Electronic MARs provided staff with alerts for time sensitive medicines, and staff knew how to escalate concerns to the office, pharmacy or GP.