May's Homecare 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. The rating has improved from requires improvement to good during this assessment. 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.

There was a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. A system was in place to report, record and monitor incidents and to help support people safely. The director confirmed that there had been1incidentin the last year. We looked at the documents in respect of this incident and found that there was a record of the action taken following an accident/incident but there was a lack of detail around lessons learnt. We raised this with management who said that they would amend the form to include this but stressed that lessons learnt were always discussed with staff.

The director explained that senior staff regular discussed potential accidents/incidents with staff in order to help ensure staff were familiar with their responsibilities and what action to take in such an event.

Staff were able to raise concerns outside of the management team to help prevent the development of a closed culture.

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.

The provider carried out assessments of people’s needs prior to their package of care and support starting. This enabled them to meet people in their own homes.

Staff spoke confidently about the processes to report concerns and raise issues about people’s safety. They were confident their concerns would be listened to and acted upon by management.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, where safety was managed or monitored. Procedures were in place to help safeguard people from abuse and improper treatment. Staff knew how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and received training to help ensure they were up to date with best practice guidance. Staff said they would report concerns and wouldn’t hesitate to do so.

People told us they were confident they were safe in the presence of care staff and were well looked after. This was confirmed by relatives. A relative told us, “[My relative] is definitely safe. They are kind and polite.” Another relative said, “[My relative] is absolutely safe. We also pop in and out. They are happy.”

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.

Systems to help identify ,assess and plan for risks to people’s safety and wellbeing were in place and effective. Risk assessments were person centred. They included details of control measures to help mitigate risk and protect people.

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

The registered manager carried out a risk assessment of people’s property during an initial assessment, including a check of the safety of any equipment in use, to identify any hazards such as slip and trip risks, or poor lighting. Where necessary, a risk assessment was completed to keep people and staff safe.

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

People and relatives told us staff arrived on time and stayed for the length of time agreed and carried out tasks as agreed. A relative told us, “The carers stay and do extra. They are friendly.”

The provider used an electronic homecare monitoring system to plan and monitor care visits. This recorded care staff’ actual start and visit times to ensure they were adhered to, and people received their care as planned. The system promoted continuity of care by monitoring staff deployment.

Records showed that staff had received training in areas relevant to their roles. Staff received supervision sessions and on-site spot checks. This enabled management to monitor and discuss care staff’s role, performance and development.

Policies and procedures were in place to help recruit staff safely. Checks on the suitability of potential staff were completed. These included obtaining references and checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and help prevent unsuitable people from working in care services.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. Staff detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and were aware of the procedures to follow if any concerns had to be shared.

Staff followed infection control processes, including washing their hands, keeping people’s homes clean and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) where appropriate.

Staff had completed training about infection prevention and control. Staff said they had enough PPE.

The provider told us that they did not provide medicines support to people at the time of this assessment.

We noted that care records did not always clearly indicate whether people required medicines support from care staff. We discussed this with the provider who said that people’s relatives were responsible for this and that they would ensure care plans clearly documented this.

Appropriate medicines systems and protocols were in place in preparation for supporting people with this. Staff had completed training to administer medicines to help ensure they had the appropriate knowledge and skills.