Caremark (Rotherham)

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 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.

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. There was a commitment to learning from incidents and to use them to review and evaluate practice and devise plans for the future.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Assessments of people’s needs and choices were completed when they transferred between services. These included further information and background including life histories, belongings, hobbies and memories. This meant partners had important information to support people in a person centred way.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff 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 provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. A safeguarding record was maintained and included a lessons learnt column showing how practice had been reviewed and updated to improve the service. People and relatives told us they felt staff delivered safe care and support. One relative said, “[Relative] has a good relationship with the carers. They [staff] tell me straight away if they have any concerns.” Another relative said, “They [staff] watch over [family member] and are trained to look after [family member].”

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Risks associated with people’s care had been identified and managed to keep people safe. There was a commitment to learning from incidents and to use them to review and evaluate practice and devise plans for the future. People and their relatives felt staff managed risks safely. One relative said, “They [staff] support us to manage risks.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. The care environment was reviewed to ensure care was delivered safely and that any equipment used was serviced and maintained.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. Staff completed appropriate training and competency checks prior to carrying out tasks and only when they were confident were supported to carry out the tasks. This ensured tasks were carried out safely. One staff member said, “I have regular supervision and appraisals. I also receive adequate support from other staff and my manager.” Staff told us the management team ensured adequate staff were available to support people safely. One staff member said, “Staffing levels are increased when people's needs change. In fact, Caremark regularly review and assess the needs of individuals receiving care to ensure that they are receiving the right level of support.” People and their relatives felt staff knew them well and understood their needs and were appropriately trained.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. The provider had an infection prevention and control policy, and staff had access to PPE as required. Good hand washing between tasks was monitored and staff received training in IPC related subjects. People and relatives told us staff washed their hands in between tasks. One relative said, “The staff are aware of infection control.”

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. Staff received training in medicine administration and were competent to administer medicines safely.