APDA Homecare c/o Daycare and Development Centre

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

Systems were in place to help safeguard people from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks associated with people's care were assessed and managed to help support people to remain as safe as possible. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs and cover their agreed hours of support. Recruitment processes helped to ensure that care staff assessed as safe to work with vulnerable people were employed. Medicines were managed effectively.

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.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

People told us they felt safe when receiving care and support from care staff. A person told us, “I feel safe with the carers, and I trust them. I have had a service from APDA for a very long time.” This was confirmed by family members we spoke with. A family member said, “[Person] is safe with the care worker. We trust [care worker].” Another family member told us, “We feel [person] is safe in the presence of the carer. They are very experienced and well-trained. They know everything about [person].”

Staff were clear about their responsibilities and felt confident reporting concerns. Staff were able to describe the action they would take if they witnessed or suspected any abusive or neglectful practice. Management were aware of their responsibilities on how to help protect people from abuse and the actions they would take where there was an allegation of abuse.

Appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures were in place. These provided guidance about the action to take if staff had concerns about the welfare of people. Training records showed staff had completed safeguarding training. There was a system in place for recording safeguarding concerns which helped management have oversight over this.

Risks to people were identified and managed to help keep people safe. These were person centred and included information about how to minimise the associated risks.

Staff were able to describe how they supported people safely to reduce the risk of harm. Staff were encouraged to report risks so that appropriate action could be taken to help ensure the safety of people. Staff we spoke with told us they wouldn’t hesitate to raise concerns with management and had confidence that the appropriate action would be taken.

Risks relating to people’s safety and wellbeing were identified and managed to help ensure they were supported to remain as safe as possible. Risk assessments covered various areas such as the environment, transfers and medical conditions. They were person centred and included information about the level of risk and how to minimise the associated risk. Staff received training in areas of potential risk such as moving and handling, first aid and health and safety. A system was in place to record, report and monitor incidents and accidents to help support people safely.

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 family members were complimentary about care staff. A person said, “The staff know what they are doing and have the knowledge and experience to support me. They are from my culture, so I am happy with that and feel that they really understand me.” A family member told us, “We have a good relationship with the care staff, they are nice.” Another family member said, “The regular care worker is very good and flexible.” People received support from the same team of care staff so that they experienced continuity of care. This helped people become familiar with care staff and develop positive relationships. Feedback indicated that there were no issues with punctuality and attendance.

Staff felt there were enough of them and they were able to safely meet people’s needs with current staffing levels. Staff said they were well informed and told us communication was good. A member of staff said, “Communication is fine. I get the information I need.”

Policies and procedures were in place to help ensure staff recruited were assessed as safe to work with people. Checks on the suitability of potential staff were completed. This 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. People were supported by staff who had the knowledge and skills required to meet their needs. Records showed that staff had received training in areas relevant to their roles. Staff received supervision sessions which provided an opportunity for them to discuss their performance and professional development. We were assured that there were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. The provider recruited staff continuously to ensure there were enough staff.

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.

People received the support they needed with their medicines and this was confirmed by family members we spoke with.

Staff who supported people with their medicines had completed the relevant medicines training. They spoke positively about the training they had completed.

At the time of this assessment, the manager advised they assisted 3 people with medicines support. There was a medicines policy and procedure in place. People’s medicines support needs were documented in their care plan. Care staff recorded medicines administration on paper Medicine Administration Records (MARs). We viewed a sample of MARs and found these were completed fully indicating that medicines prescribed had been administered appropriately.