Include 'In' Autism

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 requires improvement. At this inspection the rating has changed to 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. 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. A staff member commented, “Incidents are reported using the incident reporting system and escalated to management as required. ”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 told us, “After an incident there is a de briefing. Staff are contacted by management to ask if we are ok and to discuss what happened and if any changes need to be made for future.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. Systems were in place to ensure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. A staff member commented, “The ‘hospital passport’ of information and member of staff go with the person to hospital.” The management team visited people to assess their needs and agree the level of support people needed. A relative commented,“[Name]’s care and the risks have all been well assessed and we are very happy.”

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 safeguarding children training and knew how to raise and report any concerns. Relatives told us people were safe with staff support and trusted staff. A relative commented, “Staff know [Name] and keep them very safe, including when they go out.”

Staff worked well with people to fully understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. 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. Care plans contained guidance for staff to follow to keep people safe, including where people may be at risk of self-harm. A relative told us, “Staff are amazing, they keep [Name]safe.”

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 them within their homes.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Rosters were managed so people received consistent care from a staff team familiar to them. A relative commented,“[Name]has a regular team of carers. It is not new faces all the time. The manager makes sure any new staff shadow experienced staff.” Another relative told us, “Management keep the roster the same, with the same faces for [Name].”Staff received training and ongoing support from the service to carry out their roles safely. A staff member commented, “I receive the required training to enable me do my job.” 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.

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 staff member commented, “I have competed medicine e learning and face to face training. Competencies and audits are carried out to ensure safe practice.” A relative told us, “If I am out staff give [Name] their medicine. I run through everything with them, and it is all written down."