Aran Homes Limited Head Office

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 as good. At this assessment the rating has remained as 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 understood their responsibility to report concerns, incidents and other safety events, and managers were available to provide guidance and support. Concerns were reviewed so appropriate action could be taken and any learning shared with staff to help improve practice.

One staff member told us, “If we have any concerns or something has happened, we can just call management. Often the manager comes over and helps us out.” This demonstrated that staff felt able to raise concerns promptly and were confident managers would respond and support them.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider worked with people and relevant healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and how this could be achieved in a way that respected their rights and independence. Staff completed safeguarding training and understood how to recognise, report and respond to concerns about abuse, neglect, discrimination, bullying or harassment. They focused on supporting people to live safely while maintaining choice and control over their daily lives. The provider had procedures for escalating concerns and shared safeguarding information promptly with the appropriate agencies when required.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks in a holistic and person-centred way. Risk assessments considered people’s individual needs, circumstances and preferences and provided staff with guidance on how to support them safely while enabling them to do the things that mattered to them.

Staff were supported to understand people’s risks through “induction, reading policies and procedures, care plans, discussing individual needs and spending time with people they care for. This helped staff become familiar with each person and provide safe, supportive care that promoted choice and independence.

The provider identified and managed potential risks within people’s homes. Environmental risk assessments considered factors that could affect the safe delivery of care, and staff had access to the resources and protective equipment needed to work safely. Where concerns were identified, staff reported these to the management team so appropriate action could be taken with the person or those responsible for the property.

Staff confirmed they could obtain additional supplies promptly when required. One staff member told us, “We have all the PPE we need, and if we need more, we can just call the office, and they will arrange it straight away.” This helped staff follow safe working practices and reduce risks to people during care visits.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. Staff received regular supervision, training and opportunities to develop their knowledge and competence. Managers monitored staff practice and provided guidance or additional support when needed. Staff communicated effectively and worked well together, which helped ensure people received consistent and appropriate care. Staffing arrangements were reviewed to make sure people received support at the times they needed it. Staff told us they felt supported in their roles and understood their responsibilities.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider made sure medicines and treatments were managed safely and reflected people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning and monitoring their medicines support, including when changes were made. The level of support provided was proportionate and promoted people’s independence. The provider had a medicines policy in place, and staff used Medicine Administration Records (MARs) to document and monitor the support provided.

One staff member told us, “We prepare [person’s] medication and [person] self-administers it. We prompt [person] to take it and provide reminders. Most medication comes in blister packs from the pharmacy. We store [person’s] medication in a room inside a locker.” This demonstrated that staff provided appropriate prompting and oversight while supporting the person to remain in control of taking their own medicines.