Sphere Specialist Healthcare

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

The provider helped keep people safe through effective planning and appropriate implementation of safeguarding procedures, alongside proactive work with a range of external partners.

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.

The provider understood how the broader health and social care sector worked and helped people access the help they needed, advocating for people when necessary. Clear protocols meant people experienced a consistent approach to care. One external social care professional told us, "They are very good at what they do - always exploring the options to get the right outcome." Another said, "One person recently was very resistive to getting a care package and had a range of complex issues. The registered manager met us at the hospital to talk through what was needed and to make sure it was a seamless as possible. They made sure they got the care plan right in the first place and agreed prior to any moves.”

There were effective systems, processes and policies to ensure people were safe from the risk of harm and abuse. The registered manager worked proactively with local partners when there were safeguarding concerns. Policies had been reviewed and had regard to good practice and more specific areas of risk people could face.

People said, "I feel safe. She (carer) is always checking if I am feeling ok if we are doing something new one day,” and one relative said, "She never feels unsafe with them. They are always checking for any changes and keep detailed records - it's reassuring."

Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities. Safeguarding policies were up to date and included approaches to specific types of abuse that people may be vulnerable to. Staff had received training and were knowledgeable in this area.

The provider had clear risk assessments in place, to be completed prior to people using the service and reviewed regularly. Staff had clear responsibilities and followed them. Auditing and governance arrangements ensured risks did not develop without the provider having oversight of them.

Staff understood the importance of regularly reviewing the risks people faced, and in involving them to agree ways to reduce risks. This was done from a positive risk-taking perspective, meaning people were not stopped from doing what they wanted to.

The registered manager and office team worked closely with people and their relatives, and external professionals, to understand people’s needs from the outset. They involved people in ongoing reviews and conversations about their care. One relative said, “The manager came and did a full risk assessment before mum arrived and then returned the day she arrived. They were very keen to get Mum’s care right for her.” Another said, "We agreed the best/safest times for the calls together and they have stuck to them - we have worked as a team."

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

One staff member said, "There is always a care manager in the office when I call," and another said, "I get a lot of support - the training is varied and some of it face to face. There is always something new to learn and I like that." Staff received regular supervisions and ad hoc support from leaders.

There were sufficient staff, suitably qualified and experienced, to support people’s needs. This included a range of inhouse and bespoke training to support people with a range of more complex needs. The provider ensured staff competence was reviewed by relevant clinical professionals. Pre-employment checks were in place to ensure the risk of unsuitable applicants working with people was reduced.

People and their relatives had confidence in the knowledge and experience of staff. They felt communication was good if there was ever a delayed call. When calls were delayed or missed the registered manager and others took prompt, effective action to ensure people were safe, and to minimise the risk of this happening again. One person told us, “Initially, there was an issue with late calls and the occasional missed call. We spoke with social services and Sphere management and it soon got sorted out.”

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.