My Home Care Ltd

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 inspection we rated this key question good. At this inspection the key question 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. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. When accidents and incidents occurred, staff took appropriate action. The registered manager had a process in place to review incidents that occurred to identify any trends, patterns and lessons learnt and to share with staff to reduce risks to people. A staff member commented, “In the past all carers involved with the service user have been called to the office for a meeting.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. The registered manager told us systems were being developed to ensure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Passports were not yet available, but they were being prepared to ensure people’s needs could be met, if they moved elsewhere. These are documents which contain important information about people’s care and communication needs, including personal details, the type of medicines people were taking, and any pre-existing health conditions. A professional commented, “The communication with the care agency has only been effective and positive.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. Staff and leaders had received safeguarding adults training and knew how to raise any concerns. Relatives and people told us they were safe with staff support and trusted staff. Aperson commented, “They make me feel safe all the time.”

Management had completed risk assessments for people and had put measures in place to mitigate those risks. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs which was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Staff supported people safely and positive risk taking was encouraged to help people become more independent. A relative commented, “We feel that [Name] is perfectly safe with carers, their attitude is brilliant they are so conscientious with good transfers when out on 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. Risks associated with people’s individual environments were assessed before staff started supporting people within their homes. A relative told us, “There are always 2 carers as [Name] needs to be hoisted.”

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff received training and ongoing support from the service to carry out their roles safely. Staff worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. Rosters were managed effectively so people received care when they needed it. A person told us, “I get a rota every week and staff time keeping is really good.” People received care from a reliable and consistent team. A relative commented, “It is usually the same carer which [Name] prefers.” Safe recruitment practices were followed to help ensure people were protected from staff unsuitable to work in the care sector.

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 told us they had access to the personal protective equipment (PPE) they required, and people confirmed staff wore this when required. Staff received infection control training and competency checks. A relative commented, “The carers all use the appropriate PPE.”

There were policies and processes in place to ensure people received their medicines safely. Staff received training and competency checks to observe how they managed people’s medicines safely. A relative commented, “There started to be difficulties taking tablets, so staff contacted the GP to arrange liquid medicine which is much easier for [Name].”