Legacy Agency Limited

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

During this assessment we looked at all 8 quality statements in the key question of safe. We found inconsistency in safe recruitment checks, with some gaps in employment history and references, but thorough checks on other areas. We made a recommendation in relation to recruitment. Risks to people's care were well managed and appropriate actions taken. Staff knew about what signs of abuse they needed to report and were confident in doing this or follow whistleblowing procedures.

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.

Relatives did not share any concerns about accidents or incidents; feedback received from relatives was overwhelmingly positive.

The registered manager was aware of the need to analysed any patterns and trends when incidents had happen, as this supported any changes and improvements needed in how the service was provided.

The registered manager told us there had been only 2 accidents linked to falls of one person and the appropriate control measures were already in place, so no changes had been required to their care plan. However, the provider's quality assurance policy included the monthly analysis of accidents and incidents, if these had taken place. The registered manager gave us other examples when they had used feedback from relatives to improve the service and share this learning with the staff team.

Relatives shared positive feedback about the care their loved ones received. Comments included, "We are very happy with the level of responsive to Mum’s care needs."

The registered manager told us they assessed people's needs before commencement of the care package.

Stakeholders did not share concerns about the service.

The service had policies and procedures in place to ensure people's needs were assessed and regularly reviewed, and involved relevant professionals to meet the needs of people. The registered manager told us that currently, relatives of people they supported choose to keep in contact with relevant healthcare professionals, when needed, however they knew who to contact if required.

Relatives told us they felt safe with the care provided. Their comments included, "[Person] is absolutely happy with the care. The girls are lovely. [Person] loves them and feels very safe."

Staff and the registered manager demonstrated a good knowledge of the safeguarding procedures and who to inform if they had any concerns. Staff knew how to report abuse and had received training in safeguarding adults and children. One staff member told us, "if see or suspect something that could cause harm to client, I would report it immediately."

There were policies and procedures in place covering safeguarding adults and children, as well as whistleblowing concerns. These were being followed.

Relatives told us their loved ones were safe with the care provided.

The registered manager was regularly involved in delivering care to people and was knowledgeable about risks to people's needs and how to manage this in line with their preferences. For example, they told us how they supported a person with their skin care and moving and handling requirements by following the steps preferred by the person.

There were policies and procedures in place in relation to how risks to care should be managed and these were being followed. Risks to people's care were identified, assessed and control measures put in place to ensure care was delivered safely. In our review of people's records we found risks assessments were appropriate and person centred, for example, there were falls and mobility risk assessments, fire safety assessments and hydration and nutrition assessments.

Relatives did not raise concerns about the safety of the environment.

The registered manager told us they ensure staff had received training in infection and prevention control and they ensured this was followed during their involvement in care delivery and spot checks.

There were policies and procedures in place to ensure environmental risk assessments were completed and any risks were identified and managed well.

Relatives told us staff arrived on time and stayed for the full duration of the calls. Their comments included, "They are on time and stay the full duration.”

The registered manager was regularly involved in delivering care and was able to monitor other staff's attendance to the calls via their electronic call monitoring system.

There was a system in place to monitor staff arrived at the care visits on time and stayed for the full duration of the calls. Some areas of recruitment required improvement. Reasons for leaving previous employment working with vulnerable people were not always recorded. Other checks such as right to work and DBS were thoroughly completed. We recommend the provider improves their compliance with their own recruitment policy and review best practice guidance in this area.

Relatives did not raise concerns in relation to infection and prevention control and overall shared very positive feedback about the care received.

The registered manager assessed the risks with the environment and any acted to prevent any risk of infections.

There were policies and procedures in place covering infection and prevention control. These were being followed.

Relatives told us medicines were well managed.

The registered manager told us they ensured staff had received their training and regularly audited to ensure medicines were safely administered.

Overall, medicines were well managed. There were policies and procedures in place and these were on the whole being followed. We did not find any medication errors. We only found one example were it was unclear who was responsible for managing one person's medicines as relatives usually did this but staff had prompted a person on a few occasions. The registered manager was receptive to the feedback and took action to ensure this was clarified and managed safely. Staff had received appropriate training to administer medicines safely.