Equicare Services 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 were safely cared for and supported. There were systems to learn when things went wrong. Systems and processes to help protect people from abuse were operated effectively. Risks to people's safety and wellbeing had been assessed, planned for, and monitored. There were enough suitably trained staff to keep people safe and meet their needs. People received the right support with their medicines.

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 told us they knew how to speak up if they had a concern and felt these were addressed by the provider.

Staff told us they were able to participate in discussions to learn when things went wrong. They told us they were able to contribute their views and had guidance from managers to help make improvements.

The provider had systems and processes for dealing with complaints, accidents, incidents, and things which went wrong. Records of complaints and concerns showed these had been investigated, responded to and improvements made to the service to help mitigate the risk of these happening again.

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.

People using the service and their relatives told us they felt safe with the care being provided. They felt confident about speaking up if something was wrong. Their comments included, ''I feel safe, especially with my regular carer'', ''[Person] is kept safe, I have seen the way the staff work with [them]. They are concerned about [person] and talk with [them]'' and ''[Person] is supported, happy and safe. [They] have a bond with [care worker].''

The provider had procedures for safeguarding and whistle blowing. The staff had appropriate training and understood about these procedures. Following alerts, the provider had worked with other agencies to investigate allegations of abuse. They had taken appropriate steps to help protect people and learn from these.

The staff explained they had undertaken training about safeguarding. They knew how to recognise and report abuse.

Staff had the right training and skills to help understand people’s needs. Managers carried out spot checks to observe staff and make sure they were providing safe care.

The provider assessed risks to ensure people were safe. Staff took action to mitigate any identified risks. Risk assessments were appropriately detailed. Where appropriate, people had best interest decisions to help manage risks such as medicines administration.

People using the service and their families told us they felt staff managed their care safely. One family member explained, ''They always hold [person's] hand and keep [them] safe. There have not been any incidents.'' The staff did not use any form of restraint or restrict people's freedom.

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

Some relatives felt the staff did not always have the skills to care for people well. Two relatives told us they felt they needed to show care workers how to operate some equipment. One relative told us care workers did not always know how to manage situations when a person became distressed. They told us they had discussed this with the provider. However, other relatives told us staff were well trained. Their comments included, ''They are skilled and trained. They now understand [person] well'' and ''They are trained to understand about [person’s specific health needs]. This allows me to have a break while they are here.'' People using the service and their relatives told us they had the same group of regular carers who arrived on time and provided good consistent care. Some of their comments included, ''We have the rota in advance by email'', ''We have the same carers, and this is important because [person] feels anxious with new people'' and ''The carers arrive on time and let us know if they are running late.''

Staff told us they felt well supported by the provider. They had the information they needed to provide good quality care. They told us training was useful and helped them to learn about good practice. Staff explained they had undertaken training about learning disabilities and autism. Some of their comments included, ''I have had lots of training'' and ''The training is very helpful.'' The staff told us they worked well together and with managers. Staff undertook training which helped them provide effective care and treatment. This included training to understand best practice for supporting people with learning disabilities or autistic people.

The provider operated safe recruitment processes. Staff recruitment records included completed application forms, references, identity checks and confirmation that Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks had been carried out. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. This information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. There were enough staff deployed to meet people's needs and keep them safe. The provider did not take on new care packages if they did not have the staff to meet people's needs. The provider used an electronic call monitoring system to plan and monitor care visits. They analysed information from this and investigated any discrepancies where call visits did not take place as planned. The system alerted managers if care workers did not arrive or were running late. We looked at a sample of data from the system and found that most care visits were delivered within the agreed time and care workers stayed for the duration of the call. Care workers had enough time to travel between visits. Staff undertook an induction and a range of training to help make sure they had the skills needed to care for people and keep them safe. The provider also facilitated regular staff meetings and shared guidance and information with them. This helped to ensure the staff had the skills and knowledge needed to care for people safely. The provider had a plan for further staff training which reflected good practice and changes in guidance about care staff training. There were systems to help support staff through individual supervision meetings, spot checks to assess their work and appraisals. This helped to make sure staff remained competent and the provider was able to address any concerns about their practice as well as praising good work.

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.

People were supported to receive their medicines safely. The provider had policies and procedures for managing medicines. Staff kept accurate records to show when medicines had been administered. Medicines audits were completed to help ensure medicines were managed safely.

Staff confirmed they had relevant medicines training. Their knowledge and skills were continually assessed and improved through spot checks and training.

People using the service and their family members told us they were happy with the support they received with medicines. Some of their comments included, ''They support [person] with medicines and there are no issues'' and ''They will help us with collecting medicines from the pharmacy.''