Precious Homes Black Country Community Services

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 was the first assessment of the service, and we rated this key question 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 listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Staff were aware of the procedures for reporting and responding to any incidents. There were systems in place to analyse and identify any trends relating to accidents and incidents. Any learning from incidents were shared with staff during team meetings, debriefs, one to ones, handovers, and through supervision sessions. A member of staff said, “I have reported incidents such as minor falls or behavioural episodes. I followed the company’s incident reporting procedure and completed the necessary documentation. Lessons learned are shared in team meetings, handovers, or through email updates. We review changes in care plans to reflect updated strategies.” Relatives confirmed they were informed of any incidents regarding their loved one.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.

People had their needs assessed before a package of care was agreed to ensure their needs and aspirations could be met. Each person had a personalised plan to ensure their transition into the service and their new home was as seamless and stress free as possible. A member of staff told us, “Communication about the new service user typically begins before they arrive and is part of the admission process. When the service user starts using our service, information is usually shared through the care plan provided by the family member and social worker, which includes details about the individual’s medical history, personal preferences, routines, communication needs, and any associated risk factors. Once the service user starts to use the service, staff will receive a detailed care plan and support plan which outlines the individual’s health conditions, medication needs, dietary requirements and personal preferences. The care plan is usually discussed in the team’s meeting and is accessible in the digital management systems.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

The person we spoke with told us they felt ‘happy and safe’. Relatives told us they felt their loved one was safe and well cared for. Staff told us they had received training about how to recognise and report abuse. They knew how and when to report concerns both internally and to other organisations such as the local authority, CQC and the police. A member of staff told us, “I feel comfortable raising concerns and know they will be taken seriously. Past concerns I’ve raised were investigated and addressed appropriately.” Another member of staff said, “I monitor for signs of abuse by being observant during every interaction, which includes noticing unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behaviour, signs of fear or withdrawal, poor hygiene, or changes in financial circumstances. I also listen carefully if an individual tells me they are unhappy or uncomfortable. If I suspect abuse, I follow the safeguarding policy immediately: I document what I have seen or heard, keep the person safe, and report it straight away to my line manager or the safeguarding lead. If necessary, I would contact the local safeguarding team or CQC directly. I never ignore concerns, no matter how small they seem.”

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.

Risks to people were assessed and a plan of care was in place to guide staff how to support people in a safe way. People were supported by staff who knew the individual risks and assisted them in the least restrictive way possible whilst minimising the potential for harm. Relatives told us staff were aware of risks to people, and these were managed in accordance with people’s plan of care. A relative told us, “They [staff] are aware of any risks.” A member of staff said, “Care plans and risk assessments give me clear, up-to-date details on each service user’s health, risk and agreed management strategies. These documents are regularly reviewed, and I feel that I have enough information to keep service users in our service safe while supporting their independence. For example, one of the service users had a risk of choking hazard, his swallowing ability changed, risk assessment was updated, and staff followed food texture new bite size procedure.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

Environmental risk assessments were in place and staff monitored and reported any concerns to ensure the environment remained safe, well maintained and continued to meet people’s needs. The management team ensured regular checks were carried out on equipment used by people, and on fire detection systems and hot water outlets.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff who were recruited safely and who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

The provider’s procedures for staff recruitment ensured they were recruited safely. References and a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) were carried out before staff worked with people. Staff worked alongside more experienced staff during their induction to enable them to get to know the people they would be supporting. They also completed the mandatory and specialist training needed to support people safely. A member of staff said, “I have completed relevant training to meet the complex behaviour or communication needs of the service users I support. Training such as autism awareness, positive behaviour support, person-centred care, mental health awareness and communication skills including non-verbal methods, active listening, with adaptations for individuals with speech or cognitive impairment. With the knowledge from this training and understanding each service user’s care plan and preferences, I can respond quickly, safely and appropriately to any changes in their needs or behaviours.” Staff told us there were sufficient staff to meet the needs of the people they supported.

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.

Appropriate steps had been taken to minimise the risks of the spread of infection. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control, and they had access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Relatives told us staff wore aprons and gloves when assisting people with personal care. There were audits and checks in place to ensure staff followed correct procedures.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences.

Relatives told us staff ensured their relative received their medicines when they needed them. There were policies and procedures in place for the safe management and administration of people’s medicines, and these were understood and followed by staff. There were protocols in place for medicines prescribed on an ‘as required’ basis which helped to ensure staff followed a consistent approach and people received their medicines when needed. Staff told us they had received training in the safe management and administration of medicines and had regular checks on their competency.