Northwest Domiciliary Agency

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. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Staff recorded incidents on the electronic system and managers reviewed these regularly. The registered manager monitored incidents to capture any themes and made sure changes or improvements were made if required.

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 manager conducted a 2-stage thorough pre-assessment of people and their needs at the referral stage and made sure all information was captured and necessary actions taken to ensure a smooth transition into the service. Information was shared if people accessed other services or were admitted into hospital. Staff said information was accessible, and handovers at the start and end of every shift were managed well.

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.

The provider had an up-to-date safeguarding policy which contained relevant information to guide staff. Staff completed safeguarding training and knew how to raise concerns. The provider did not support anyone who was subject to court of protection directions, however they understood the legislation and recognised the need to consider this if necessary.

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.

The registered manager conducted risk assessments for people and the service and reviewed them regularly. There was a positive risk-taking approach to encourage people to be independent. People that accessed the community independently knew how to stay safe and escalation processes were agreed.

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 registered manager had a good working relationship with the local housing provider and monitored compliance with health and safety checks such as electricity, gas and fire safety. Regular checks were made of fire equipment. The provider worked with people to make sure any adjustments to the environment were made to meet their needs.

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 provider recruited staff using safe processes and made checks such as Disclosure and Barring Service checks (DBS) and references. Staff completed relevant training, including Oliver McGowan learning disability training, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 training; compliance rates were high.

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 supported people to keep the property clean and tidy with regular cleaning schedules to organise tasks. Staff had access to protective clothing such as gloves and aprons to use at required times.

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.

There was guidance for staff around how to manage medicines safely, including medicines that were given ‘as and when’ required. Staff signed to say they administered people’s medicines according to their prescriptions. People knew what they were prescribed and why and any changes were managed alongside people. Medicines were stored securely and according to guidance.