Lee House

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 and those important to them were supported to understand safeguarding and how to raise concerns when they did not feel safe. People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. Staff understood their duty to protect people from abuse and knew how and when to report any concerns they had to managers and staff. There was a clear understanding of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and this was only used when it was in the best interest of people using the servicen. People were supported to understand and manage risk. Managers and staff assessed and reviewed safety risks to people regularly and made sure people and those important to them, were involved in making decisions about how they wished to be supported to stay safe. Care plans were clear and provided sufficient guidance to staff to keep people safe. There were enough staff to support people with their care and support needs. Managers reviewed staffing levels regularly to make sure there were enough suitably skilled and experienced staff deployed throughout the care home at all times. There were sufficient and appropriately trained staff in place to support people and keep them safe. Managers made sure thorough pre-employment recruitment checks were undertaken on all staff to make sure only those that were deemed suitable and fit, would be employed to support people at the service.

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.

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

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.

Managers and staff feedback demonstrated that people received the standard of care described in this quality statement. Managers supported staff to safeguard people from abuse and all staff had received up to date and relevant training to do so. Staff understood how to recognise abuse and neglect, protect people from its different forms and to report any concerns their managers. Comments included, "I can report any concerns to [regsietered or deputy manager]", "Safeguarding is protecting the residents from harm and abuse" and "Safeguarding is protecting vulnerable people from abuse and neglect. We can report to the social worker or police." The registered manager understood their responsibility to refer safeguarding incidents to all the relevant external agencies without delay, ensure they were fully investigated and to take appropriate action to minimise the risk of similar incidents reoccurring. They told us they encouraged a culture at the service where people, relatives and staff could raise concerns without fear about what might happen.

The providers processes demonstrate that people are receiving the standard of care described in this quality statement. The provider's safeguarding policy and processes were in line with relevant legislation. Records showed safeguarding concerns reported to the registered manager were recorded in detail and reported promptly to the relevant external agencies. The registered manager worked well with these agencies and acted in a timely way to make sure people were safeguarded and protected from further risk. People and those important to them were involved in this process and informed about what action would be taken to keep people safe. People’s care records showed the service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and if needed, appropriate legal authorisations were in place to deprive a person of their liberty. Any conditions related to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations were being met.

People were safe at the service and reported receiving the standard of care described in this quality statement. People told us they felt safe, and staff who supported them knew how to keep them safe. A person said, “Staff look after us very well here and make me feel safe.” Another person added, “I do feel safe, very happy and well-cared for at Lee House.” People felt confident to raise any concerns they might have and knew how to do this if they did not feel safe. A person said, “If I was not happy or concerned about anything here I would tell the managers straight away who I’m sure would listen to what I had to say.”

The care homes environment and the staff practices we observed support the standard of care described in this quality statement. We observed people were supported to do the things they wanted to do and staff helped them to do this safely. For example, when one person wanted to take part in an activity, staff made sure they could move safely to where this was taking place. Staff were kind and patient and explained to the person what they were doing and made sure the person understood they did not have to rush and could move at their own pace.

People reported receiving the standard of care described in this quality statement. Risks to people’s safety were managed well, with no unnecessary restrictions. People told us staff knew how to support them with known risks and that they were involved in planning the care they received. A person said, “Staff know what they are doing and how to look after to me to make sure I’m safe. The staff did ask me how I wanted to be supported when I first moved here.”

Managers and staff feedback demonstrated that people were receiving the standard of care described in this quality statement. Staff received relevant training to help them keep people safe at the service. This included training on equipment used to support people, for example, hoists to help people move and transfer safely, and fire safety equipment. Staff confirmed they had received training in safe moving and handling techniques. A staff member said, "We have yearly moving and handling, we do four spot checks throughout the year." Staff understood risks posed to people and explained to us in detail, the action they would take to reduce the risk of injury or harm. They told us, "Information (about risk) is documented on the care plan. Some residents don’t always eat or drink enough so we have to encourage them to eat. We record fluid intakes, in terms of what we offer and what they actually eat. A few people at risk of pressure sores – we monitor for any breakdown make sure they have barrier cream, we reposition them" and "[Person] has a sensor mat, is at risk of falls, the risk assessment says what to do in the event of a fall."

The providers processes demonstrated that people received the standard of care described in this quality statement. Risks to people had been assessed and risk management plans had been put in place to help staff prevent or minimise these identified risks people might have, so far as possible. These risks included area such as supporting people with mobility equipment or with personal care. This meant staff had up to date information about the action they should take to manage these risks and keep people safe. There were systems in place for staff to report concerns, incidents, and accidents. This promoted the provider having oversight and being able to manage risks. The management team completed regular audits and action plans were put in place if any risks were identified.

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

The providers processes demonstrated that people received the standard of care described in this quality statement. Staffing levels in the care home matched the days staff duty rota and were suitably deployed and sufficient to meet people's needs. Managers used a staff dependency tool to make sure there were always enough staff to meet people’s needs safely. Managers carried out checks on staff that applied to work at the service to make sure they were suitable to support people. This included checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) who provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. Training records showed staff attended relevant courses to support them to meet a range of people’s needs. Training was refreshed at regular intervals so that staff stayed up to date with current practice. Supervision and appraisal records showed staff had regular supervision meetings and an annual appraisal of their overall work performance with their line managers to support them in their role and to identify any further training or learning they might need.

Managers and staff feedback demonstrated that people received the standard of care described in this quality statement. Staff received regular and relevant training to support them in their roles and they were well supported by managers to learn and continuously improve their working practice. Staff told us about the training they had as part of their job roles and were knowledgeable about the topics they were trained in such as supporting older people living with dementia. The registered manager told us they regularly reviewed staffing levels at the service to make sure there were always enough staff to meet people’s needs. She said that that the care staff on shift duirng the day hwere due to be increased to refelct the increased needs of people using the service. In addition, there were systems in place for the provider to identify and monitor staff training requirements and ensure it remained relevant and up to date. Staff told us they felt well supported by the management team and were able to discuss their job roles in supervision, appraisal and team meetings.

People reported receiving the standard of care described in this quality statement. People told us there were enough staff to support them. A person said, “There's always lots of staff around. They [staff] bring me a hot drink whenever I ask for it.” Another person added, “There is always plenty of staff working here. On the whole staff respond as quickly as they can whenever I use my call bell to get staffs' attention.”

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.

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