Tipton Home Care 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

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

At our last inspection we rated this key question requires improvement. At this inspection the rating has changed to good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 69 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Concerns about safety were investigated and reported, if needed, to ensure people received safe care. Lessons were learnt to identify and embed good practice. One person told us the staff were very good at spotting anything which is unsafe, and they would either put it right or tell them or their relative. They found this reassuring.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Not everyone receiving care from the provider needed staff or management to support them accessing additional healthcare as they could often do this for themselves. However, when it was needed, staff supported people to contact other healthcare providers and ensured the right information was passed to the right person to ensure safe care continued between all those involved. We saw an example where staff had recognised a change in one person’s health. They notified additional services and stayed with the person. They ensured information relating to their health was provided to assist healthcare partners to make an accurate assessment and provide the right treatment.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The service shared concerns quickly and appropriately. All those we spoke with told us they felt safe with the staff supporting them. Staff members had been trained in identifying abuse and ill treatment and knew what to do if they suspected wrongdoing. For example, to support the person to contact the Police or the Local Authority if they were worried about anything. The management team acted quickly on any concerns raised with them.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. People told us they were involved in assessments of risk associated with their care and support. For example, people had assessments associated with the risk of trips or falls, mobility, diet and nutrition. When people had individual needs, these were assessed and care plans were adapted on a personal basis. For example, if someone was living with diabetes this was assessed and a risk assessment was in place directing staff on how to safely support and respond to the person.

The service detected and controlled potential risks. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. People told us when they first started to receive a service from Tipton Home Care Limited an environmental assessment was completed to ensure it was safe for the delivery of care. One person told us a supervisor came out to their home and did a full risk assessment to make sure things were safe for them and the staff.

The service had enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. One relative said, “All the carers are very well trained. They are respectful and effective”. Generally, those we spoke with stated staff arrived as expected and stayed for the agreed amount of time. However, some people expressed there was a lack of contact if staff were going to be late or if schedules were changed. They reported these changes were sometimes made without consultation with them. In these instances, people were directed to contact the management team to share their experiences and seek a resolution. Other people told us when there were concerns regarding call times these were resolved with the management team effectively. The provider followed safe recruitment checks when employing staff. The provider had systems in place to address any concerns with staff including retraining and disciplinary processes if required.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. People were supported by staff who had received training in infection prevention and control and knew how best to support them in a safe way. One person told us the staff always put on gloves, washed their hands and disposed of anything in a safe way. Staff had access to equipment to support them in delivering care in a safe way.

The service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Not everyone needed support with their medicines. When they did this was given as prescribed by a trained and competent staff team. However, when people required “as when needed” medicines there was a lack of detail regarding what these medicines were for or when to administer in people’s care plans. However, the management team addressed this immediately during our site visit. People told us they received their medicines when they needed them. One relative said, “It’s in a blister pack, with days and times. It’s locked away in a Medi-box. Staff have got the number, they unlock the box, give them their medication and lock the box up again. No mishaps that I know of.” Staff knew how to identify and report any potential errors. Any incidents were investigated by the management team and any changes or lessons were passed to staff to minimise the risk of harm to people.