AQS Homecare Dorset

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 assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained at good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

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.

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. People told us they felt safe with the care staff and support they received from AQS Homecare Dorset. One person said, “They are wonderful, I feel very safe. Another person told us, “Oh yes, they are very safe.” Staff spoke knowledgably regarding how to report potential abuse and described instances when they had reported potential abuse. A member of staff told us, “Any safeguarding concerns at all I report them to the registered manager or deputy manager. They raise it and take any action.” Safeguarding as a subject was regularly discussed at team meetings to ensure staff understanding remained current. There was a safeguarding policy that gave staff guidance to follow in the event they needed to raise any concerns to the local authority. Safeguarding incidents had been reported to the local authority and CQC.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks using a holistic approach. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Risks to people and the service were managed effectively, ensuring people were protected and their wishes respected. Staff explained how people’s individual risks were managed and how they provided support to do this. Assessments were carried out to identify any risks to people and to the staff supporting them. This included environmental risks in people’s homes and any risks in relation to people’s care and support needs. A relative told us, “The staff know [person] and they have a care plan they use. They go through it, they know [person] well and do what [person] wishes.” A member of staff said, “We have clear information about people’s risks and it is always updated. Another member of staff told us, “The new system gives us more information so we can care for people safely. All the information is easy to understand. I understand people’s risks and how to manage them.”

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

The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff worked together to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. One person told us, “They are very friendly, they are on time and stay until I need them. I know if they are late it is normally because of the traffic.” Another person said, “ They are always on time. I get 1 visit 6 days a week. It’s lovely as sometimes I don’t speak to anyone so it’s great to see them. I look forward to their visits. I get a printed sheet with their visits on.” The service had appropriate levels of trained staff to care and support people safely. Staffing rotas reflected the correct levels of staff covering people’s visits. A member of staff told us, “The new management team are very supportive. Training is relevant and we also do update training every year. We have face to face practical training in the office and do the on-line training in the office as well. We get spot checks and supervisions which are unannounced.” Another member of staff said, “I completed the induction and we get spot checks and I completed shadow shifts which were very helpful. Shadow shifts are when less experienced staff shadow more experienced staff on visits, to ensure they get the training they need before they start supporting people on their own] I’m getting good support they are really lovely people, very friendly and will help when needed.” Training records showed staff were up to date with their mandatory training and had regular spot checks, supervisions and annual appraisals to ensure their skills and knowledge remained current. Procedures were in place to ensure the required checks were carried out on staff before they commenced their employment. This included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for adults. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the police national computer.

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.