Helping Hands Sheffield

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 strong proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and complete honesty. Staff actively listened to concerns about safety and thoroughly investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were always learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Accidents and incidents were recorded and analysed to identify trends and patterns and used to mitigate future risks. Staff we spoke with demonstrated they placed great importance on ensuring any action was taken to keep people safe. Staff were supported to reflect on their own practice as part of their personal development. The registered manager said, “We are always learning and we share lessons learnt with staff and collectively work on improving the service.”

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. We saw appropriate referrals had been made to healthcare professionals and staff worked in line with requirements and recommendations they suggested. This had a positive impact on people's care and support. Plans were reviewed regularly to ensure they met people's current needs.

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 knowledgeable about safeguarding and told us they would be able to recognise and report concerns. Staff were confident the management team would take appropriate actions to protect people from harm. One staff member said, “If I suspected abuse, I would ensure the person was safe, report it immediately to my manager or safeguarding lead and follow the safeguarding policy.” The provider had safeguarding champions whose role was to take a supporting role in advocating and implementing safeguarding practices. Safeguarding Champions actively promoted awareness of safeguarding matters and fostered a culture that prioritised the well-being and safety of people.

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. Risks associated with people's care were identified and managed to keep people safe. Care plans gave step by step instructions for carrying out tasks to ensure staff were following people's wishes, managing risk and delivering safe care. For example, 1 person had an allergy to silicone which caused itching and rash, sometimes blisters. The risk assessment stated that all silicone products were to be removed and any reactions reported and medical attention obtained. Moving and positioning risk assessments gave clear guidelines of correct moving and handling techniques to use. One person was at high risk of developing pressure injuries from sitting too long. The person’s risk assessment stated regular repositioning should take place to mitigate this risk. Staff were instructed to notify the management team and appropriate professionals were sought, such as the tissue viability nurses, when any deterioration was noted in skin conditions. Specific instructions regarding the use of hoist and sling were documented clearly with step-by-step instructions for staff to follow. One staff member said, “I follow each person’s individual risk assessments and care plan, which are reviewed regularly and updated if needs change. Before providing care, I check for any specific risks such as mobility issues, falls risks, skin integrity concerns, choking risks, or environmental hazards.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Where people used equipment to facilitate their needs, the provider ensured it was safe and maintained in line with manufacturers’ recommendations. Environmental risk assessments were completed and included a detailed breakdown of the risk and how to mitigate it. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP’s) were in place to guide staff in how to evacuate people safely from their properties if required to do so.

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 received training and support to carry out their role effectively. Staff felt supported and said the registered manager was approachable. The provider had a safe recruitment process in place to ensure suitable staff were employed. Staff received a thorough induction which included completion of a workbook, practical assessments and observations to ensure staff were competent to carry out their role well. Staff had access to an online learning portal, which supported their learning. Staff also received ongoing learning and development to meet specific needs. Staff were expected to complete the Care Certificate within their first 12 weeks of employment. Staff carried out practical activities to demonstrate their competence. These included moving and handling, CPR and equipment. We saw interview notes were retained to evidence a clear and fair recruitment system. There was an electronic call monitoring system in place and incidents were identified monitored and used to improve the service. Staff told us they had sufficient time to carry out their visits. One staff member said, “I am allocated sufficient time to complete care tasks safely and respectfully. If someone’s needs increase, this is reviewed and adjusted.”

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. Care plans directed staff to use personal protective equipment (PPE) where appropriate for tasks identified within care plans. The provider had an infection outbreak management process which was available in a flow chart and gave specific guideline to follow in the case of an outbreak. This was a useful document that provided information and contacts for staff to follow.

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. People's care plans included information about their medicines. Where people required medicines on an as and when required basis, known as PRN, these were clearly planned and documented. PRN protocols were in place which stated the dose and how and when to take it. They also offered information about how people would present if they required their medicines. Directions for any topical creams were also well documented to ensure staff knew exactly how and where to apply the creams. There was a clear process in place for addressing medication errors which gave guidance on how medication errors should be reported and recorded. Staff told us they had received training in medicine administration and had been observed administering medicines to ensure they were competent to carry out the task. One staff member said, “I have competency assessments which include medicine observations.” People and relatives told us they had no concerns about the way staff administered medicines and told us they received their medicines as prescribed.