Spectrum Group Services Limited improved from Requires Improvement to Good following a focused inspection of Safe and Well-Led domains, having resolved both prior regulatory breaches relating to medicines management (Regulation 12) and governance (Regulation 17). The service demonstrated effective auditing, safe staffing, well-managed medicines and a positive, person-centred culture under stable registered management.
Strengths
· Medicines managed safely by trained staff with accurate MAR records and regular audits following previous breach of Regulation 12
· Robust recruitment process including DBS checks, employment history verification and identity checks
· Comprehensive audit systems enabling identification and prompt resolution of shortfalls, resolving previous breach of Regulation 17
· Effective risk assessments developed in partnership with people, regularly reviewed and individualised
· Positive staff culture with open communication, team meetings and regular newsletters keeping staff and people informed
Spectrum Group Services Limited was rated Requires Improvement overall at its first inspection, with breaches of Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) and Regulation 17 (Good Governance) due to unsafe medicines management and ineffective quality auditing systems. The service performed well across caring, effective and responsive domains, with strong person-centred practice, consistent staffing and positive feedback from people and professionals.
Concerns (4)
criticalMedication management: “Medicines were not always managed safely. The provider did not follow best practice guidance for managing people's medicines. Medicines administration records (MARs) were not kept for each person”
criticalRecord keeping: “Care records were not always up to date, accurate or contemporaneous. There was a lack of documentation showing medicines support provided”
criticalGovernance: “Systems and processes to monitor quality and safety in the service were not established and operated effectively to ensure compliance with the fundamental standards.”
moderateIncident learning: “Audits of MARs were not always completed. When MARs were reviewed, audits failed to identify errors and omissions.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and were protected from harm and abuse by trained, safeguarding-aware staff
· Consistent staffing through established 'bubbles' ensuring personalised, reliable support
· Care plans were detailed, person-centred, and written in partnership with people and their representatives
· Staff demonstrated caring, compassionate relationships and treated people with dignity and respect
· Effective multi-agency working with health and social care professionals to promote wellbeing
Quality-Statement breakdown (25)
safe: Using medicines safelyRequires improvement
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolationGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsRequires improvement
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood