Catherine Homecare Ltd

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 felt safe and well-treated. There were enough staff to care for people and to meet their needs. Risks to people's safety and wellbeing were assessed and planned for. People received their medicines in a safe way and as prescribed. There were systems to ensure only suitable staff were recruited and that they had the information and training they needed to keep people safe. Lessons were learnt when things went wrong to help improve the service.

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 told us they were happy with the way the provider had responded when things went wrong. They told us they had been consulted and involved in making decisions and helping staff to learn from these. Relatives explained they had received apologies and explanations, and we saw recorded evidence of this.

The registered manager described how they had learnt from incidents that had happened. They told us these had helped them to develop better systems for communication and they had improved the induction for new staff because of this learning.

There were procedures for dealing with accidents, incidents, and complaints. We saw records of adverse events. These showed that there had been a thorough investigation and learning from these, including staff reflecting on their own practice and suggesting improvements.

People using the service, and their relatives told us they were happy with the way the service had been delivered and how the staff worked with other professionals.

We did not receive feedback from staff regarding this aspect of the service.

We did not receive feedback from external partners.

The provider had information about local services and how people and staff could access these. They worked closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure people received the right support.

People using the service and their relatives told us they felt people were safely cared for. One person commented, ‘’I feel safe, and the staff are excellent.’’

The staff explained they had undertaken training about safeguarding adults. They understood what to do if they had concerns about abuse and how to report these.

There were procedures regarding safeguarding adults. There had not been any safeguarding concerns since the service started operating. However, there was evidence to show the registered manager discussed safeguarding with staff and tested their knowledge. The provider had undertaken an audit of their own safeguarding systems and had updated these where they identified there was a need for clearer information. People using the service and relatives were provided with information about how to recognise and report abuse.

The risks to people’s safety and wellbeing were planned for. People told us they felt staff provided safe care which met their needs. One person commented, ''They help me when I am unsteady and worried.''

Staff told us they had completed training to understand how to safely care for people and mitigate risks. For example, how to support people to move, and how to use equipment.

The registered manager had completed assessments and risk management plans to show how people should be cared for and supported. These included personalised guidance about managing risks. The provider had liaised with other professionals (such as nurses) when needed to make sure risks were being managed appropriately and in line with good practice guidance. Risk assessments and plans were regularly reviewed and updated.

CQC does not assess people’s home environments for this type of service. However, we were able to see the provider had carried out assessments of people’s homes to make sure they identified any risks to safety for people using the service or staff. Where they had identified risks, they had liaised with families to help make sure these were addressed.

We did not receive feedback from staff about this aspect of the service.

The provider had assessed fire safety systems and carried out audits to make sure they had the procedures needed in place.

People and their relatives told us staff arrived on time and completed all their duties well. One person explained, ''The staff are reliable.''

The staff were able to describe the recruitment processes and how they were supported when they started work at the service. They told us they had completed a range of training and had opportunities to meet with the registered manager to discuss their work and learn about their roles and responsibilities.

There were systems to help make sure staff were suitable. These included checks on their experience, identity and right to work in the United Kingdom. The provider sourced external human resources support to help them interview staff and carry out recruitment checks. They had systems for monitoring to see when they needed to complete further checks or if work visas for migrant workers had expired. New staff completed an induction, which included shadowing the registered manager as well as completing a range of training and competency assessments. The registered manager worked closely with the staff. They were a qualified trainer. They also supported staff to access online and other external training courses. There were enough staff to meet people's needs and the provider did not take on new care packages unless they had the staff to meet people's needs.

People and their relatives told us that staff followed good infection control processes, including washing their hands, keeping people’s home’s clean and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). One person explained, ''They keep the place clean.''

Staff told us they had training and information about infection prevention and control. Staff said they had enough PPE.

The provider had procedures for infection prevention and control. The registered manager carried out audits and checks to make sure these were followed.

People's relatives told us people were supported with their medicines when needed.

The staff explained they had received training regarding safe handling of medicines. We saw evidence of this.

There were appropriate procedures for managing medicines. These included training and observing staff to make sure they provided appropriate support with medicines. Care plans included information about the medicines support people needed. The registered manager had completed assessments of risks relating to people's medicines and the support they required, including their mental capacity, and understanding of their medicines. The provider carried out checks and audits to make sure medicines had been administered as prescribed and records were up to date and well completed.