Gloucestershire Domiciliary Care Branch

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

People were safe and protected from avoidable harm. Risks relating to people’s needs and environment were assessed and managed. There were safe staff recruitment practices. There were enough staff to deliver people’s assessed care. Staff were trained and competent in meeting people’s needs.

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 usually felt safe at the service. Comments included, “I feel safe here, if I didn’t feel safe, I would talk to (Registered manager’s name) and the staff” and “I feel really safe here.” One person told us the service was the only place they had ever felt safe but recently did not feel as confident due to some of the people moving in. The registered manager told us they were aware of the concerns and were already taking action. They were working with the housing provider and carrying out joint assessments to ensure people who lived in the service, but didn’t have care needs, were assessed appropriately prior to admission. People told us they felt able to speak with staff if they were worried about anything.

Staff had completed safeguarding training and knew how to protect people from harm and abuse. Staff felt confident the registered manager would follow up any concerns.

The service had safeguarding policies and procedures in place. The registered manager gave us examples of how they had reported concerns to protect people.

People told us they had been involved in making decisions about risks. One person described how staff made sure their equipment was in the right place so they could use the hoist safely. Another person told us they had a pendant alarm and staff attend if needed.

Staff knew about people’s individual risks. Staff told us they had clear information and instructions to follow on how to support people. The registered manager described how they had supported people to manage risks and achieve their goals by involving other health professionals.

People's care plans contained risk assessments. Where risks were identified plans were in place to identify how risks would be managed. Risks were also discussed at staff meetings. We found 2 care plans would benefit from some additional information on how to manage risk; the registered manager added this to the care plans.

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 told us they were happy with the staff who visited them and knew them well. Comments included, “Care is brilliant. We couldn’t have better. We work together as a team” and “I get on really well with all of them. If we get new ones, they just slot in and carry on.” People told us staff always arrived for their visits and were usually on time. People said visits could sometimes be a few minutes late but understood this may be due to another visit taking longer or an emergency.

Staff told us they had completed training, so they knew how to carry out their role effectively. Comments included, “We do lots of different sorts of training and it covers everything we do and a lot of the training we do does relate to the needs of the people we support, and it does help us provide the best care”. Staff told us they felt well supported in their role. One staff member said, “We are supported personally and workwise, and (Registered manager’s name) has been amazing, and she always has got an open-door policy.” The registered manager told us people were involved in the staff interview process and their feedback was listened to. They described how they made sure there was a good skill mix on shift to ensure people’s needs were met. All staff had completed the Oliver McGowan tier 1 training on learning disability and autism.

Staff recruitment systems were safe. Procedures were in place to ensure the required checks were carried out before staff commenced their employment. Staff training was in place to ensure staff had the skills to do their job. This included a comprehensive induction. Supervisions and spot checks ensured staff were competent in 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.

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