Kitec Supported Living

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 safe and protected from avoidable harm. The provider had a positive culture of learning lessons when things went wrong. Staff followed current best practice guidelines regarding the prevention and control of infection. Medicines were safely managed and administered.

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 were confident they could raise any safety concerns with the staff or the management team. Relatives confirmed they were informed when their family member had any accidents or incidents of distressed behaviour. A relative told us, “The carers tell me about any accidents or incidents where [family member] gets upset. [Team leader] reassures me a lot.”

Staff understood how to record and report safety concerns so that appropriate action could be taken to support people. People and staff were encouraged and supported to raise concerns. One person told us, “I know I can go to [registered manager] or [team leader] and they will listen and deal with my worries or concerns.” Staff told us they had the training available to do their job. They felt supported by the management team and were clear about their responsibilities. Staff knew how to speak up and could describe how to do this and the actions that would be taken.

Systems were in place to support prompt reporting and investigation of safety concerns, should these arise. The service had policies and procedures in place which required learning from investigations to be used to support staff to continually improve their practice and provide safe, quality care to people.

People’s safety was managed well when they first started using the service. Information was obtained about people’s individual needs and risks to their safety. This information was used to ensure people received safe and appropriate support as soon as they started using the service.

The provider made sure people, and others involved in their care, were supported to be part of their assessments and planning of their care, to aid a smooth and safe transition when they started to use the service.

The service worked well with partners and shared valuable information between services.

Systems were in place to help staff identify and report safeguarding concerns to the relevant persons and agencies. The provider understood their duty and responsibility to work in line with relevant policies and procedures for safeguarding people. This included making timely referrals and working proactively with agencies to ensure people were safeguarded from further risk.

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

We did not look at Involving people to manage risks during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

People and relatives told us staff supported them safely in their homes and treated their homes with respect. One person said, “The carers are very careful about making sure my home is always tidy and safe.”

Staff told us they had guidance and risk assessments to follow about working in people’s homes and using equipment to support people. The registered manager and the team leader assessed any risks in people’s home environments and shared these with the staff team, so these risks were mitigated.

Processes were in place to monitor the environment, and any equipment used to support people. Staff reported any concerns, and these were used to update and inform risk assessments where necessary.

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

People and relatives told us staff always washed their hands and wore PPE when carrying out personal care. One relative told us, “They are very good and always wash their hands and wear their gloves and aprons."

Staff confirmed they had completed Infection Control training and had access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). One staff member said, “Kitec provides all staff with the necessary PPE to conduct our duties. I have access to an infection control policy; we also maintain a record of service users' infections and our course of treatment. I am provided with guidance on appropriate staff behaviour with regards to infection control. This includes washing hands, appropriate use of PPE and cleaning.”

Measures were in place to control and prevent the spread of infection. Staff completed training in relation to the control of infection and they had sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). The provider had an infection control policy in place that was up to date and accessible to staff. Regular audits were completed to ensure compliance with Infection control protocols. Feedback from these audits ensured immediate corrective actions and ongoing improvements to infection control practices. The provider also observed infection control practices through regular spot checks. The provider also worked closely with local health services to stay informed about current infection risks and control measures.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Staff followed current national guidance and practice for safe administration and management of medicines.

Staff received relevant training and understood the processes to follow to support people with their medicines, including accurate recording of medicines administered. Staff competencies were regularly checked, and a staff member told us, “I have regular observations for medication administration and separate observations for Clozapine administration. I have access to the medication policy and procedures. I do administer medicines and had medication training as part of my induction and also did a medication training course that I have to follow.”

Audits of medicine administration were completed to enable any errors to be identified and to enable investigations and actions to take place to help reduce the risk of recurrence. These included checks of staff’s practice to ensure they remained competent and safe to administer and manage medicines. Staff recorded when medicines were administered, or, if medicines were not required or refused on the medicines administration record (MAR) charts. Care plans had information recorded about the level of support needed by people to take their medicines safely.