Lalis Direct 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 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 has systems to report and investigate incidents, accidents and complaints. As part of the investigations, actions were identified to support the person and reduce further risks.

The registered manager explained the actions identified following an investigation were shared with staff as a standard agenda item at the regular team meetings. The actions were discussed with staff, and any additional training was identified, where necessary.

Staff confirmed that senior staff shared the actions identified for improvements following an investigation. A staff member said, “The office investigates and shares lessons to prevent it happening again.”

The provider enabled people to have a safe transition between services. People’s care needs were identified before the person’s care started. At the start of a care package, the registered manager assessed the person’s care needs to ensure they could be met by staff and if any additional training or equipment was required. The information from the person and the local authority was used to create an interim care plan and risk assessment. After a week the interim plan was reviewed to ensure it reflected the person’s care needs. Care plans identified any health and social care professional involved in the person’s care.

The provider had procedures to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. There was a process for the reporting and investigation of concerns. The registered manager told us there had not been any safeguarding concerns raised in recent years. Staff completed training on safeguarding. Staff were able to describe what safeguarding meant and how they would report any concerns. The provider was in regular contact with people and their relatives to identify if there were any issues or concerns related to the care provided.

People’s risks related to their health and wellbeing were assessed and management plans were developed. People receiving support and relatives confirmed they felt the care was provided in a safe way. Their comments included, “I have confidence that I am safe with the carers as they are all very well trained to look after me” and “Because the carers have been looking after [my family member] for quite some time now and there is a small group of staff, I have confidence that [family member] is very safe with them.”

Risk assessments and management plans provided staff with guidance how to provide safe and appropriate care and to enable people to be independent. The registered manager told us they worked with the person and their relatives to discuss any risks and help them make informed decisions on how to manage any risks. Staff completed training on how to support people with their mobility to reduce risk of falls.

The provider undertook assessments of people’s home environment. The risk assessments addressed areas around the person’s home, equipment used and fire safety. Guidance was provided for staff on how to support the person in case of an emergency.

The provider had enough staff to meet people’s support needs and provide safe care. People told us staff usually arrived on time, let them know if they were going to be late and stayed for the full time of the visit. People’s comments included, “The care staff nearly always arrive on time for the calls, if any are going to be held up, we are informed” and “The care staff stay until everything is completed and stay even longer if required.” Visit times were monitored using an electronic system to ensure they occurred as planned.

There was a process in place for safe recruitment to ensure new staff had the appropriate skills, knowledge and were suitable to work with people using the service. New staff completed an induction and shadowed experienced staff. Staff had their competency and skills assessed. Staff were supported through supervision and team meetings.

The provider has processes for the management of infection. People confirmed staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE) when they provided care. A person said, “The carers wear gloves aprons and overshoes all the time and they are always washing their hands.” Staff confirmed they completed infection prevention and control training and were provided with PPE. The registered manager explained they discussed infection control best practice during supervisions meetings and carried out spot checks of staff in people’s homes.

People’s medicines were administered as prescribed and in a safe manner. People confirmed staff provided support with their medicines in a timely manner and they followed any specific guidance such as taking medicines with food. Staff completed training on the administration of medicines and had their competency regularly assessed. Staff confirmed they felt confident when administering medicines with a staff member telling us, “[I am] confident as I'm able to apply my training into practice.”

People’s care plans indicated if they managed their own medicines or if they required support from staff. Medicines risk assessments included information on each medicine, possible side effects and what staff should do if any reactions occurred. Staff completed records when they administered medicines and these were regularly monitored to ensure the medicines were given as prescribed.