S&A Care Services Ltd

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• 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 had been completed to ensure people received safe care. Staff were recruited safely to ensure they were suitable to work with people. There were enough staff to support people. Medicines were being managed safely. Staff were supported through supervisions and training. Infection prevention and control systems were in place.

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.

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.

Safeguarding systems were in place. A safeguarding policy was in place that detailed the types of abuse and how to escalate concerns if staff suspected or saw abuse to ensure people were protected. Observation showed that people felt safe and comfortable at the supported living premises and had a positive relationship with staff. People and relatives told us people were protected from abuse and felt safe. A person commented, “No concerns about anything. I’m happy with everything.” A relative told us, “Yes, [person] happy and healthy. [Person] likes it there and the [service] is a really good place and they’re [staff] very supportive.” Staff knew about safeguarding processes and had received training in this area. Staff were able to tell us the importance of reporting any concerns to the management team. Staff also felt they could be open to the management team if they had any concerns.

People had detailed risk assessments in place describing the support they needed to keep safe. There were risk assessments to ensure people were safe when being supported such as on falls management, personal care and skin integrity. The service supported people with positive risks, records showed a person supported the service to carry out tasks at the supported living sites as they enjoyed doing this. A staff member told us, “The main thing is we give maximum support to [people] and help them be independent.” People and relatives told us that staff looked after people well, which included minimising risks to ensure people were safe. The registered manager told us and gave us examples how they have acted on risks promptly to ensure people were in the best of health. People health had improved since being supported by the service. Records confirmed this. At the time of our visit, we saw people engaged in activities with staff. We saw staff encouraging people with activities whilst helping them to remain safe. People were able to access the community safely. Staff and people had a good relationship with each other.

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

There was enough staff to support people safely. People and relatives, we spoke with had no concerns about staffing level. A relative told us, “[Staff] absolutely brilliant. They’re so caring and great. Yes, they are definitely skilled and seem to have all the training. They do take care of [persons] needs and care is fantastic.” There were appropriate numbers of staff on duty to support people safely at the supported living sites. We saw staff were available when people wanted them. Rotas confirmed there were enough staff to support people safely. Records showed relevant pre-employment checks, such as criminal record checks, right to work in the UK, references and proof of the person’s identity had been carried out. Staff had completed key training such as on learning disabilities and first aid. Regular supervisions and appraisals had been carried out to ensure staff were supported. Staff were supported in their role. The registered manager told us that staff were supported through training, supervisions and regular contact to ensure staff can receive support. Staff told us that they received regular supervisions and support from the registered manager. A staff member told us, “My management is supportive. When I need guidance on training, they are supportive.” We observed that staff knew people well and engaged with them in conversations and gave them choices.

An infection control policy was in place and staff had been trained on infection control. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was readily available at the supported living sites we visited and staff confirmed they had access to PPE when needed. We observed the supported living sites to be clean and tidy. Staff were observed to wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons when needed. There were handwashing facilities available to all using the service. Systems were in place to prevent and minimise the spread of infection to ensure people experience was safe. The registered manager and staff told us the supported living site was always clean and tidy and they had access to infection control products such as handwash to ensure risk of infection was minimised.

Medicine Administration Records (MARs) showed that medicines had been administered as prescribed. Medicine audits were carried out to ensure people received their medicines safely. Staff had also been trained in medicines management and had competency assessments to ensure they were competent to manage medicines. We observed the medicines were securely stored. Staff told us they were confident of managing medicines. The registered manager was able to demonstrate the process in ensuring medicines were managed safely such as training being delivered to staff, competency assessments being carried out and regular checks made on medicine administration and records.