Allcare Agency 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

People were safeguarded from abuse or harm and staff understood how to keep them safe. Staff knew about people’s health needs and ensured they were safe when carrying out any task. People were protected by appropriate recruitment processes. Staff had received training to ensure they were competent to administer medicines. There were systems in place for the monitoring and prevention of infection. The registered manager investigated any accident or incident and took action to reduce the risk of further occurrence and keep people safe.

This service scored 72 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The registered manager was aware of the importance of keeping records of incidents and accidents as this helped them to identify patterns and could better assess and manage risk. Staff told us they would report any accident or incident to either the registered manager or their deputy as soon as possible, so actions could be taken.

The provider had a system in place to record and monitor accidents and incidents. Records of accidents and incidents were reviewed by the registered manager and actions taken to reduce the likelihood of them happening again. There was evidence that learning from incidents and investigations took place.

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 using the service, staff and relatives had access to information about how to raise concerns and what procedures to follow. People told us they felt safe whilst staff were in their home. One person said, “I do feel safe with the girls[staff].”

People were safeguarded from abuse or harm and staff understood how to keep them safe. Staff were aware of the procedure to follow if they identified any concerns or if any information of concern was disclosed to them. One member of staff told us, “I will report any kind of abuse to my manager.” The registered manager was clear about their responsibilities to report concerns any abusive or neglectful practice.

The provider had policies and procedures in place to protect people from the risks of harm or abuse. Records showed and staff confirmed they had undertaken training to support their knowledge and understanding of how to keep people safe. The provider also had a whistleblowing procedure in place. Staff knew how to whistle-blow and how to raise concerns about any unsafe practice.

People had risk assessments which explained possible risks and the actions staff needed to take to reduce them. Each person had a risk assessment based on their individual needs.

Staff knew the risks to people and how to manage them to ensure people remained safe. Potential risks about people’s safety within their home were assessed to ensure they were supported to remain as safe as possible. The management team regularly reviewed the risks to people to ensure it remained up to date and accurate.

Risks to people were assessed and management plans were in place to inform staff how to reduce and manage risks to maintain people’s safety. For example, we saw risk assessments were in place for people who were at risk of falls. Risk assessments gave guidance to staff on how best to support people in different situations, for example, how to transfer people safely. This helped to ensure care and support was delivered in a safe way.

Potential risks about people’s safety within their home were assessed to ensure they were supported to remain as safe as possible. The registered manager mentioned a situation to us where they had to reassess a person's home environment to ensure staff were safe when visiting the person.

The provider and staff were aware of their responsibilities to ensure people received care and support in a safe environment. The risk assessments gave staff clear guidance on how best to support people in different situations, for example, when transferring people for their chair to their bed. Staff were encouraged to report any new risks they had identified so that appropriate action could be taken to ensure the safety of people as well as staff.

People and their relatives commented positively about the service and the care and support provided by staff. They told us that staff knew what they were doing. People felt there were enough staff working for the service to meet their needs. Staff rotas showed people were supported by the same staff members unless the staff were on leave or not well.

The registered manager told us there were enough staff working for the service to ensure people's needs were met. Staff told us they had undertaken regular training, and this was confirmed from their training records. One member of staff said, “We have regular training.” There was a system in place to monitor which training staff had attended and when they were due for refresher training. Staff felt the training courses were good.

The registered manager confirmed there were enough staff working for the service to meet people’s needs. There was a system for staff to log in and out when they visited people. This helped to ensure people received their visits on time. People had the same group of care staff providing care and support to them, and this helped with consistency. The provider had safe recruitment procedures in place. Before newly recruited staff started employment, the provider undertook all necessary employment checks. This ensured people who used the service were not exposed to staff that were barred from caring for vulnerable people. There was an effective system in place to assess and monitor the staff’s skills and understanding. We saw records of training that staff had attended, for example, moving and handling, safeguarding adults, fire safety and infection control. Staff received appropriate supervision and support which helped to ensure they were able to provide effective care. Staff told us they felt supported in their roles. We saw copies of staff supervision records and noted a range of issues were discussed, including staff training needs.

The registered manager and staff were aware of the basic principles of infection prevention and control such as proper hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff ensured the environment was clean and safe for people to minimise the spread of infection.

The provider had policies and procedures regarding the prevention and control of infection. They had systems in place to prevent the spread of infection and ensure people as well as staff were safe. Staff had PPE such as gloves and aprons available to them. They also had received training in this subject and were aware of their responsibilities.

Where people needed assistance to take their medicine the staff helped them accordingly. People did not raise any concerns with the ways staff assisted them with their medicines. Staff reminded people to take their medicines at the times they were due.

The registered manager told us most of the people who used the service managed their own medicines and their relatives supported them accordingly.

The service had suitable arrangements in place to protect the people using the service against the risks associated with the unsafe management of medicines. Staff who helped people take their medicines had been trained to do so. Any medicines prescribed to be given ‘as necessary’ were monitored and protocols were in place to explain when these medicines should be given. The service had a medicine policy which outlined the safe handling of medicines.