Yew Tree Cottage Residential Home

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

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

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.

The provider had a positive and open learning culture that supported safety and continuous improvement.

Staff understood the importance of reporting incidents, accidents and concerns and described how learning was shared across the team. Where things went wrong, systems were in place to review what had happened and to identify actions to reduce the risk of recurrence.

People and relatives felt confident that concerns about safety would be listened to and acted upon. This approach supported transparency, learning from experience and the embedding of safer practice across the service.

The service used safe and structured systems to support people before they moved into the home and throughout their care.

People’s needs were assessed prior to admission so staff could understand individual risks, preferences and routines. The provider supported positive transitions by involving people and families, offering visits in advance and preparing rooms to reflect people’s choices. Some people had chosen to move to the home permanently after spending short stays for respite care. All of these processes helped ensure continuity of care and reduced anxiety when people moved into the home or experienced changes in their care arrangements.

People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm because safeguarding systems were effective. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of safeguarding risks and how to raise concerns, including reporting concerns to managers and external agencies where required.

People said they felt safe with staff and trusted them to act appropriately. One person said, “I feel safe, staff are nice to me”, and another told us, “No one is ever nasty to me. They [staff] couldn’t be nicer.”

The registered manager and staff promoted an open culture where poor practice would not be tolerated. This helped ensure safeguarding concerns were identified early and responded to promptly to keep people safe. One staff member said, “Any abuse, I would report. Absolutely they [managers] would do something. I have never seen anything like that. I wouldn’t tolerate it."

The provider supported people to manage risks in a way that balanced safety with independence.

People were involved in day-to-day decisions and knew how to request support when needed. A call bell system was in place so people could summon staff. Staff knew people well and understood their routines, preferences and potential risks, such as the risk of falls, weight loss or skin damage. Staff checked on people regularly, including overnight, to ensure their safety.

Risk assessments were in place and reviewed, helping staff deliver care which reduced harm whilst respecting each person’s choices.

The environment was well maintained and supported people’s safety and comfort.

Communal areas and bedrooms were very clean, tidy and personalised, with mobility aids such as grab rails and a stair lift in place to help people move around safely.

The home and garden areas were very well maintained and suitable for the people living there. Regular health and safety checks were carried out including on fire safety equipment, gas appliances, hot water outlets and electrical appliances. These arrangements reduced environmental risks, supported people’s safety and helped them to feel settled in their surroundings.

Staffing arrangements supported people to receive safe care.

People told us staff were always available when they needed their support. One person said, “Just ask and they [staff] are there.”

The provider kept staffing levels under review to ensure they were appropriate to meet people’s needs, including at night. Staff felt well supported by managers and worked flexibly to maintain cover when required.

Staff received comprehensive training and informal supervision which supported them to work safely and understand their roles and responsibilities. One staff member told us they had, “Hands on training [in the home]” in addition to completing various formal training courses.

Good communication within the team helped identify and respond to care needs and any risks to people. Safe staff recruitment practice was followed. Two recruitment records required some additional notes to fully support decision-making, but this had not impacted on people’s safety. This was discussed with the registered manager who would ensure these notes were completed.

Infection prevention and control arrangements supported people to live in a clean and hygienic environment.

The home was spotlessly clean and very well maintained. People spoke positively about the laundry and overall cleanliness of the home. One person said, “It’s lovely and clean here. The laundry service is brilliant and doesn’t take long.” Staff followed cleaning routines appropriately for both people’s rooms and all communal areas.

These measures reduced the risk of infection and supported people’s health and wellbeing.

Medicines were managed safely.

People were supported to understand their medicines and were well supported by staff. One person said, “They [staff] do my tablets for me as I was getting a bit muddled. They [staff] always tell me what they are for which is very reassuring.”

Staff were trained to administer medicines and medicines administration records were completed accurately. Medicines were stored safely and securely.

Minor improvements were identified but these did not present an immediate risk to people. One person had a medicine which had not been dated when it had been opened as it should have been. The registered manager explained this was an isolated oversight and they did have printed labels for dates for staff to use. There was also no lockable storage for medicines which required refrigeration. The registered manager told us they would purchase a small lockable fridge for this purpose should this be needed in the future.