Support at Home 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

We assessed 3 quality statements in the safe key question and found no areas of concern. The scores for these areas have been combined with scores based on the rating from the last inspection which was rated good. Our rating for the key question has not changed and remains good. The service was safe. People were supported with their medicines appropriately and staff had access to guidance and support in managing people’s medicines. The service had recently reviewed and further developed their procedures and processes which resulted in further assessments being in place relating to people’s needs around their medicines management. People received safe care and support and their care plans and risk assessments contained important information as to how individuals wished for their care to be delivered. Care plans and risk assessments were reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Staff received regular training and checks to provide safe effective support whilst delivering personal care and medicines to people.

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.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The service worked with people, their family members and other professionals when establishing a care plan. Family member shared that they liaise with other healthcare professionals to plan their relatives care and support. When asked if the service worked with others to plan people’s care one family member told us, “Absolutely fully and completely in detail I was very impressed, (name and medical condition) tiny details and they take everything on board absolutely amazed at that, its person centred.” People and their family members have access to their care plans on paper and electronically.

Management and staff were able to describe the processes in place to assess, plan and review people’s care and support needs. Staff were aware of external agencies that were involved in people's care and support.

Feedback from partners indicated that the service made appropriate checks and changes in relation to people’s medicines management.

A clear system was in place for the assessing and planning of people’s care. Care plans reviewed during this assessment were person centred and contained important information about people's personal wishes and lifestyle choices. Clear processes were in place to assess, record and review people’s planned care on a regular basis. When required, the service liaised with other agencies to plan and assess people’s needs and wishes.

We did not look at Safeguarding during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Involving people to manage risks during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

People and their family members told us they liked their regular staff and were happy with their service. When asked if staff delivered their care and support safely, people’s comments included, “Very much so, absolutely and with dedication” and, “On third care agency, Support at Home have been the best, no safeguarding issues, pretty good with communication, can’t fault them, only problems is staff issues lot of new staff but to fair they are brilliant, wonderful carers.” People using the service told us they felt safe with the care provided and would know who to contact if they had if they had any issues. They are kept involved in decisions about care such as change in medicines and feel that most staff have enough training to be able to perform their job well. People told us that new staff members shadow more “mature carers” for each person with one person saying, “Its bang on its brilliant, couldn’t ask for any better.” Other comments included, “They introduce new staff slowly which works well, they treat (name) with dignity and respect."

Staff told us that there was always sufficient time during visits to support people with their medicines. They told us that if there were any queries regarding people’s medicines, “Have seniors in the community as well, can go take over if needed and community risk assessor to check meds as well” to support the staff team. Staff told us they had training and their competency at managing people’s medicines was checked. Comments included, “Always training available, mandatory and voluntary.”

Policies and procedures were in place to guide and direct staff to best practice and support the delivery of safe, effective medicines management. Staff knew where to locate this information. In addition, staff told us that they could contact the office for advice and support when needed. Systems were in place for the planning of and managing staff rotas. Newly recruited staff completed an induction into their role at the start of their employment. All staff received regular training and competency checks for their role, when identified, staff undertook further training for their role.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Staff discuss medicines with people and their family members. People told us they get their medicines when they need them. People’s choices and wishes around their medicines management were sought and recorded in their care plans.

Staff explained that a person’s needs assessment carried out by the service involved the completion of a medicines risk assessment. This involved staff gathering information from people and their family members to ensure that people’s medicines support can be delivered safely. Staff told us they had received training in the administration, storage and disposal of people’s medicines. They told us that following training, their competencies were assessed to ensure they have understood training. Staff knew what actions to take in the event of a medicines error occurring or in the event of a person refusing their medicines.

An electronic monitoring system was in place to identify if a person’s medicines had not been administered, this enabled staff to take appropriate action. Monthly checks of people’s medicine records were in place. Following a recent incident involving a person’s medicines, the service had reviewed their policies, procedures and care planning documents to ensure they met the needs of the people using the service. This review had resulted in revising and introducing updated assessment forms relating to supporting people with their medicines.