Ethical Homecare Solutions

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.

The service demonstrated a well‑embedded learning culture that encouraged continuous improvement. Staff told us they felt confident to raise concerns and understood the importance of reporting incidents, near misses and safety issues. Leaders promoted reflective practice, supporting an environment where learning was routinely shared and used to improve care.

Incidents and near misses were reported promptly and investigated thoroughly. Records showed that learning from these events was clearly identified, discussed and communicated through team meetings, handovers and supervisions, ensuring that improvements were understood and applied consistently across the service.

There was a focus on recognising patterns, assessing risks and taking timely action to prevent recurrence. The registered manager told us, “When incidents happen, I do not want us simply to record them and move on. We review what happened, whether there is a pattern, what the immediate risk is, and what needs to change to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.” They provided examples where incidents had led to changes in practice, strengthened procedures and reduced risks for people using the service.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care in which safety was effectively managed and monitored. They ensured continuity of care, including during transitions between different services, to support people’s safety and wellbeing.

There were effective systems in place to support safe pathways and transitions of care. When a person first began receiving support, staff completed an initial assessment to identify their needs, associated risks and personal preferences. This ensured staff had clear and accurate information from the outset.

Care plans contained detailed pre-assessment information and provided a comprehensive overview of each person’s needs. Staff we spoke with told us they understood people’s requirements and used the care plans as an essential guide in their daily practice. One staff member told us, “I use care plans as a key guide in my daily work to ensure that all support is safe, effective, and person-centred. Before providing care, I read and understand each person’s care plan, including their needs, preferences, routines, and any associated risks.”

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 were aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and understood how to recognise and report concerns. They had completed appropriate safeguarding training, which supported them to respond effectively to any potential risks or incidents.

People told us they felt safe. One person told us, “They [staff] are respectful and attentive.” A relative told us, “I feel [name] is safe in the care of Ethical Homecare and meets my expectations." A second relative told us, “Yes we feel that our son is safe and protected."

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks in a holistic and person-centred way. Staff delivered care that was safe, supportive and enabled individuals to continue doing the things that were important to them.

People were supported to manage risks effectively. Care records provided clear guidance for staff on how to support each person safely. Risk assessments were in place, including falls risk assessments, bedrail safety assessments and regular reviews to ensure that risks continued to be managed appropriately. Consent had been recorded for the use of bedrails.

One staff member told us, “I ensure people are protected from abuse and neglect by following care plans, carrying out risk assessments, and staying alert to any signs of harm, neglect or changes in behaviour. I maintain professional boundaries and ensure a safe environment during my visits.”

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 were aware of risks associated with the environment and knew where to find the information to guide them.

The provider ensured there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs safely. Staff received appropriate training, supervision and ongoing development to support them in delivering high-quality care. Teams worked effectively together to provide safe, person-centred support.

Recruitment processes were robust. Appropriate pre-employment checks were completed, including verification of overseas worker documentation and employment references. These processes helped ensure only suitable and competent staff were appointed.

People told us there were enough staff to provide care at the right times. They reported that staff arrived on time and stayed for the full duration of the allocated visit. One person told us, “Staff are always on time,” and another said, “The office informs me if they are running late.”

Families also spoke positively about staffing reliability, telling us: “Yes, they arrive on time and stay the full allocated time,” “Yes, they never leave early” and “Yes, they arrive in the given time frame and communicate 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 training in infection prevention and control, and effective systems were in place to assess and manage infection‑related risks within people’s homes. Infection control risk assessments were completed and reviewed to ensure staff had clear guidance on how to maintain safe working practices in each person’s environment.

People and their families told us that staff consistently followed infection control procedures. They reported that staff wore the required personal protective equipment (PPE) during visits and disposed of it safely. No concerns were raised by staff or the people using the service regarding PPE availability or the management of infection control.

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.

Staff followed clear medication procedures and used person-centred tools such as medication care plans and Medication Administration Record (MAR) charts to guide safe practice. One staff member told us, “I ensure that people take their medicines safely and as prescribed by following their individual medication care plans and MAR charts. These provide clear instructions on dosage, timing and any specific guidance required.”

People and their families reported confidence in how medicines were managed. No one we spoke with raised any concerns about the safety, accuracy or reliability of medicines support provided by staff.