SeeAbility Oxfordshire Support Service

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

Risk assessments were in place and mitigating strategies recorded. Information recorded was clear and staff understood how to promote positive risk taking. People were supported by staff who were safely recruited and who received sufficient training to meet people’s individual needs. Staff levels were generally consistent. However, there were occasions when staffing levels were lower. The provider had a risk assessment in place regarding minimal staffing levels. Rotas evidenced the staffing levels did not go below this. People were supported to have their health needs met. Staff worked closely with external health care professionals.

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.

People's relatives spoke positively about the staff and management team. They told us they could approach them with any ideas, worries or concerns. They had confidence action would be taken.

Systems were in place in ensure lessons were learnt. Reviews occurred to ensure information was correctly completed and any mitigating strategies required had been actioned.

Staff told us lessons learnt were shared with staff. One staff member told us, “We learn together to be our best.” The registered manager was able to evidence what actions had been taken and how information was shared with staff when things went wrong.

The registered manager informed relevant people when incidents or accidents occurred, this included informing CQC and the local authorities as necessary.

People were referred to healthcare professionals as required. We saw evidence of joint working with people. People were supported to access community healthcare such as the dentist and opticians.

Staff worked well with other professionals involved in people's care. People had specific care plans to identify their specfic individual needs, these care plans were written in conjunction with the professionals involved.

People had hospital passports and health action plans. Hospital passports were used by health and social care professionals to identify the support people required when accessing medical treatment

People's healthcare needs were understood and met. Staff received appropriate training to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to understand the signs and symptoms of deteriorating health concerns. People had assessments in place to ensure information could be shared between services.

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

Staff interacted with people well. People were supported to access their community and take part in interests that suited them.

Relative's told us staff supported people to take positive risks as appropriate. One relative told us, "[Person] is encouraged to plan, and go on, holidays. [Person] comes out of their shell on holiday and is much more willing to go out and do things. I think this is because they are out of the routine that [person] has created for themselves, and so is more willing to try things".

Staff knew people well. They knew about people's specific risks. Staff told us they supported people to take positive risks to ensure a happy healthy lifestyle. One staff member told us, “We support the people we work with to access opportunities and take worthwhile chances such as pursuing and enjoying their hobbies.”

Risks were assessed and mitigating strategies recorded. The service supported people who could display anxiety and distress that could put them and others at risk of harm. Staff were involved in completing risk assessments which included daily activities, outings and environmental concerns. Positive risk taking was documented and supported where possible.

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

The registered manager told us there were some vacancies in the staffing team. The service used agency staff to fill any gaps on the rota. Not all staff felt there were always enough staff on each shift due to staff absences. One staff member told us, “When we are short staffed, we might not be able to take our breaks.” However, another member of staff told us, “We have adequate staff to support and care for the people we look after in the service.” The registered manager had a risk assessment in place to identify the minimum staffing levels required to keep people safe.

People were supported by staff who knew them well and had sufficient training to met their needs. A relative told us, "The staff are trained before going out with [person]. The staff do seem to learn quickly when situations occur and they adapt in response."

There were enough suitability trained staff on shift to ensure people were safe and had sufficient support to be as independent as possible. The provider followed safe staff recruitment procedures. Records confirmed that Disclosure and Barring Service checks were completed, and references were obtained from previous employers. These are checks to make sure that potential employees are suitable to be working in care.

Staff received training to meet the needs of the people they supported. We observed staff talking and listening to people. Staff were observed being respectful and kind to people.

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.