DT Careplus

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 when receiving care and protected from avoidable harm. Staff were recruited safely and people were supported by a consistent staff team that knew them well.Risks to people were identified and well managed.

This service scored 78 (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.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of local reporting procedures, including external organisations they could report concerns too. One member of staff told us, "Safeguarding is a process in place to help keep vulnerable people safe from harm.” They were able to describe different types of abuse and how these may affect people’s behaviours.

The provider had a safeguarding policy in place which was easily accessible for people and staff. Staff completed training in relation to safeguarding adults and children. At the time of our site visit there had not been any safeguarding incidents, however there were systems in place to make safeguarding referrals to the relevant authorities and the manager understood their responsibility to report safeguarding concerns.

People were kept safe from avoidable harm because staff knew them well and understood how to protect them. A relative told us, “Yes, [family member] is safe. The carers are very good and know the risks.”

People and families were involved in managing risks and risk assessments were person-centred, proportionate and reviewed regularly. A relative told us they were aware of the risk assessments in place for their [family member] and said, “The carers always follow the risk assessments.”

Staff were aware of people’s risk assessments and felt they could confidently support people safely. One staff member said, “I know all about the risks we have to look out for. There are risk assessments in place, and we have excellent communication, so we talk and share information about any risks.”

Risks associated with people’s care, support and environment had been identified, assessed and plans put in place to reduce risks. For example, we saw there was a child and environment risk assessment in place to ensure the premises was child safe and free from potential hazards when supporting the person with their care.

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

New staff went through an induction period, which included shadowing more experienced staff to get to know people, as well as covering the basic and specialist training subjects. Recruitment practices were extremely robust. We saw the provider obtained 4 references for staff working with children and adults. A vast array of employment checks were carried out including letters of recommendation and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

Staff told us they felt staffing numbers were sufficient to meet the needs of people and keep them safe. One said, “There are 4 staff who support [person] and we always have 2 staff at any one time to suppport with personal care. Its always the same staff, so we work well together and know people's needs and how to meet them.” Staff told us and records confirmed they completed training relevant to their roles and there was also specialist training available if it was required. Staff also confirmed they received supervision and had their practice observed regularly. One commented, “The training is very good. I have had in-house training and I have completed the care certificate. I do get regular supervision which I use to discuss my training needs.”

There was a small team of skilled and competent staff to ensure they could safely support people with their needs. A relative told us, “We have the same 4 staff who support [family member]. They are very good, and they provide good care. I believe they are well trained.”

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.