Violet Care Agency 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 assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment, the rating has changed to Good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

People felt safe using the service. Staff knew how to recognise and report and any concerns about people’s safety and welfare. People’s care was given in accordance with individual risks. We were told by people and relatives’ staff were working safely.

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.

People and their relatives felt they were kept informed, and they were listened to, with any actions needed being taken. A relative said, “[Person] has been with them 2 months and we have been already asked for feedback. I have reported one concern which was that the carer did not use the key safe properly. This was handled straight away to my satisfaction.”

People and relatives spoke positively of the approach of the management team. A relative said, ““I know the manager who does things by the book, and I think my care is good. Sometimes the key safe has not been used properly and I have rung the office, and it was sorted straight away and has not happened since.”

Staff told us learning was shared through meetings and updates. A staff member said, “Violet Care Agency give a good opportunity to also learn and carer development as well.”

Learning was taken and shared with the staff team during meetings, supervisions, spot checks and messaging.

People and relatives felt they had enough support and information when they started using the service. A relative said, “The Occupational Therapist has been involved in this and appropriate safety equipment such as handrails and a hoist have all been provided.”

A staff member said, “Before a service user starts care with us the office will call and let us know of the needs of the client and will do a first visit check and introduce us to the client during the assessment process, we will then follow the care plan/ action plans which detail what is expected at each visit from the client.”

There was a discharge form implanted to work with hospitals to ensure all required knowledge was shared, staff and equipment was in place. The service also worked with a trusted assessor which helped them provide a robust and effective assessment for people to ensure their needs would be met in an appropriate and safe way.

People told us they felt safe. A person said, “I am happy with the carers.” Relatives also felt their family members were safe using the service. A relative said, “[Person] feels safe and well looked after in their care. We both have no complaints or concerns.”

Staff knew how to recognise, and respond to, abuse. A staff member said, “I try to talk to the client about it, and also inform them I have to escalate it sometimes, then I inform my line manager about it and raise concern on our system. I have raised a concern for client.” We were told by people and relatives’ staff were kind, patient and caring in their approach.

Safeguarding concerns were processed, reported and recorded appropriately. Staff received training.

People and their relatives felt they were kept informed, and they were listened to, with any actions needed being taken. A relative said, “[Person] has been with them 2 months and we have been already asked for feedback. I have reported one concern which was that the carer did not use the key safe properly. This was handled straight away to my satisfaction.”

People and relatives spoke positively of the approach of the management team. A relative said, ““I know the manager who does things by the book, and I think my care is good. Sometimes the key safe has not been used properly and I have rung the office, and it was sorted straight away and has not happened since.”

Staff told us learning was shared through meetings and updates. A staff member said, “Violet Care Agency give a good opportunity to also learn and carer development as well.”

Learning was taken and shared with the staff team during meetings, supervisions, spot checks and messaging.

People and relatives told us staff helped ensure their safety in their homes. However, some feedback was received from people and relatives about their key safes not being used or securely closed. They told us when they raised this with the management team it did not happen again. We saw this as a daily action in people’s care plans and confirmation in care notes staff had recorded, they had secured them after their visits.

Care and support was carried out in people’s own homes. Assessments were completed to ensure staff member’s working environment was free from hazards and fire safety equipment was in place.

Staff had received training in relation to safety hazards and checked these points on their visits. Staff were aware of hazards and how to reduce these. A staff member said, “Before care starts an environmental risk assessment is completed.”

People and their relatives told us staff turned up when expected and stayed for the required time. A person said, “They are well trained and give me choices. They are aware of my health needs and treat me with respect, observing my privacy and dignity at all times, particularly whilst giving personal care.” A relative said, “The carers arrive on time and stay the full time they should. [Person] has 1 carer once a day who provides kind, respectful personal care always observing their privacy and dignity. They have never missed a (care) call.” Another relative said, “The staff are fully trained and experienced to support my [person] with all their complex care needs.”

Staff told us there were enough of them to provide visits to people on time and stay for the planned visit time. They told us visits were not missed and on occasions where they would be late, the office staff were helpful. A staff member said, “I believe there is enough staff to meet people’s needs and clients also get the same care workers unless of an emergency, so we get to build a good relationship with clients and get to know their needs better.”

Staff also said they felt they had enough training and support for their roles. A staff member said, “I have had good training with Violet Care to carry out my role, there is also eLearning we complete and have fresher trainings in house.I have regular supervisions with my manager.”

We reviewed the training matrix and saw training was completed. There was also a record of regular supervision.

There was oversight of visits to check for late or missed calls. Action was taken when this occurred to help prevent it happening again. The office team called people if staff were running late.

People and their relatives felt they were kept informed, and they were listened to, with any actions needed being taken. A relative said, “[Person] has been with them 2 months and we have been already asked for feedback. I have reported one concern which was that the carer did not use the key safe properly. This was handled straight away to my satisfaction.”

People and relatives spoke positively of the approach of the management team. A relative said, ““I know the manager who does things by the book, and I think my care is good. Sometimes the key safe has not been used properly and I have rung the office, and it was sorted straight away and has not happened since.”

Staff told us learning was shared through meetings and updates. A staff member said, “Violet Care Agency give a good opportunity to also learn and carer development as well.”

Learning was taken and shared with the staff team during meetings, supervisions, spot checks and messaging.

Systems were in place to help ensure safe management of medicines. Staff supported some people to take their medicines, for others they prompted them to take their medicines.

Staff had received training and there were checks carried out to help ensure staff were working safely.