No. 18

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 protected from the risk of harm and abuse. People were supported to understand and manage risk. Care plans were clear and provided sufficient guidance to staff to keep people safe. There were sufficient and appropriately trained staff in place to support people.

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.

People were comfortable with staff who knew them well. We observed people approach staff for support and they were relaxed and at ease. One person came to the door when we arrived and demonstrated a sense of ownership and belonging within their environment. Staff supported people to take part in fire drills and gain an understanding of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. Relatives told us they were confident their family members were safe. They said they believed their family members would go to staff with any problems they might have and they would be listened to. One commented; "[Name] could raise a problem with the staff they are familiar with. [Name] uses Makaton, so communication is good with the staff that know them.”

There was a safeguarding policy in place which included local contact details. Staff received training and discussed safeguarding in supervision and staff meetings. We saw a recent workshop on whistle blowing processes had recently been delivered to staff.

Staff were aware of how to raise any concerns and were confident these would be dealt with.

Care records contained clear guidance for staff to enable them to support people safely when they were distressed or at risk. Care records contained clear guidance for staff to enable them to support people safely when they were distressed or at risk. Staff had received appropriate training to equip them with the skills and knowledge they needed to keep themselves, the people they supported and others safe at all times.

Staff explained how they worked with people to manage risk so they were able to take part in things that interested them and mattered to them. Because staff knew people well they were able to predict what might cause people difficulties or distress and take action to avoid this.

Some minor adaptations had been made to one of the properties to enable people to move around independently and safely.

Risk assessments took account of people's individual preferences and any anxieties they might have. There was guidance for staff on how to support people when they were anxious which was specific to their needs. One person found it difficult to adjust to new staff. The manager recognised this and ensured new staff worked alongside more experienced staff to give them time to build trusting relationships. This showed people's psychological safety was considered when planning care. Relatives told us their family members were made aware of any potential risks to themselves and discussed how to manage them safely.

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

Staff told us they received enough training and could access additional support if they needed it. Service managers organised regular face-to- face supervision meetings and staff told us these were supportive. Staff meetings were also an opportunity to raise any training needs. One member of staff had expressed a wish to develop their skills further and this had been arranged. Staff confirmed pre-employment checks had been completed before they started work. Staff told us they had the training they needed to carry out their roles effectively and with confidence.

Rotas showed there were consistently enough staff available to meet people's needs at all times. When agency staff were used these were regular staff who had worked regularly with people over a long period of time. New staff were supported by more experienced staff so they were able to build trusting relationships with people. Recruitment checks were completed before any new staff started work.

Staff were patient in their approach and spent time with people making sure they had the space and time they needed to do things at their own pace. There were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs and respond to any requests for support. Staff spent time with people, encouraging them to complete household tasks and chatting about plans for the day. Staff were able to explain to us how people preferred to be approached and took time to make sure people were at ease and comfortable with our visit.

It was particularly important to people that they were supported by staff who knew them well and who had built trusting relationships with them. In both properties there was a core team who valued the people they worked with. Relatives confirmed staff understood people's needs well. Staff told us they received the training and support they needed to support people in line with their needs. One member of staff commented; "They (the provider) are very good at doing the training."

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.