Care Connexions UK Limited

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.

This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. This key question has been rated 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.

Staff and management understood the importance of recording and reporting concerns about people’s safety at the service and in the community. Incidents were recorded in people’s daily records, along with details of any actions taken by staff and management to resolve situations and mitigate risks. Staff told us they were informed about any changes to people’s support and had opportunities to contribute to learning from events. A staff member said, “If I am not sure what to do, I can speak with managers and discuss the best ways of dealing with situations.”

The provider had engaged with professionals, such as social work and mental health teams at the point of referral to the service. The registered manager told us, “It’s important we get as much information as possible before people come here to make sure it’s the best place for them and we can meet their needs.” People’s records showed there had been ongoing liaison with other health and care professionals.

People were provided with information about safeguarding and understood how to raise any concerns they might have. Staff had received safeguarding training. They understood their roles and responsibilities in ensuring people were safe and reporting any incidents or suspicions immediately. The service had a safeguarding policy and procedure that reflected current best practice.

Risks relating to people’s needs were individually assessed. Guidance for staff was in place to mitigate identified risks. The service supported positive risk taking and staff enabled people to be as independent as possible. People understood risks to their wellbeing and confirmed staff had discussed these with them.

The provider carried out checks to ensure people’s living environments were safe. They liaised with housing providers to carry out essential maintenance where required. The supporting living houses we visited were clean, tidy and provided environments that met people’s individual needs.

Robust recruitment arrangements were in place and checks on staff suitability were carried out prior to appointment, Staff received an induction which included mandatory training with shadowing until they felt confident to undertake their role. Mandatory training was refreshed annually, and staff were also provided with additional specialist training, such as in learning disabilities, autism awareness and self-harm. Staff received regular supervision and checks of competency in their roles had been carried out.

The providers policies and procedures reflected best practice. Staff had received appropriate training. Personal protective equipment, such as disposable masks, gloves and aprons were readily available for use by staff where required.

People’s medicines were safely stored, and records were accurate. Staff had received training in safe administration of medicines. People knew what their prescribed medicines were for and told us they received them at the correct times. A person said, “I don’t want to have to take them, but I know they keep me stable.”