The Cornerstone

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. Staff understood how to report concerns and to whom. People were involved with managing their care and support, including risks. Staff were provided with clear guidance to support people safely. There were enough trained and skilled staff to support people. Medicines were managed safely.

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.

There were no signs of abuse. People were supported and included in everything and independence was promoted in a respectful way. We observed there to be sufficient staff available to meet people's needs. Staff were available to support people with daily living skills such as food preparation and cleaning and tidying the home. People were supported when using utensils to ensure they remained safe. Staff responded to people when they required support. For example, one person had poor mobility and poor eye sight and was supported to walk around the home with staff who ensured obstacles were removed.

People had Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) documents in place where appropriate and staff and leaders received training in this area. DoLS had been approved by the local authority and notifications sent to CQC in line with current best practice. Safeguarding policy and procedures were in place and instructed staff how to recognise, report and record abuse. Staff had access to a whistle blowing policy and were encouraged to make concerns known. The service had a record of safeguarding concerns and a full record included the type of abuse, people involved and description of the incident as well as the outcome and any lessons learned.

Staff demonstrated knowledge about how to assess and manage risks. Positive behaviour support plans were in place. Staff told us that they understood how to support people in a positive way. Staff had confidence in all managers and felt able to discuss things openly with them. Leaders told us that that staff morale was good and the staff team enjoyed working with each other. There was a good sense of teamwork.

People told us they felt safe at The Cornerstone. One person said, “I like it here and I have lots of friends. I feel safe and get on with some of the service users more than others. I haven't had any accidents. I take my medication with support and I know what I am taking. The best thing about living here is my bedroom and the quiet room as it can be quite noisy. I would like my own place.” A family member told us, “It's very good. They look after him well. They do the right risk assessments. I would like to be more updated with his appointments. They involve me in his reviews and ask for my consent. The staff are good and friendly. I would know if he was unhappy. He accepts that it is his home.”

Staff demonstrated knowledge about how to assess and manage risks. Positive behaviour support plans were in place. Staff told us that they understood how to support people in a positive way. Staff had confidence in all managers and felt able to discuss things openly with them. Leaders told us that that staff morale was good and the staff team enjoyed working with each other. There was a good sense of teamwork.

There were no signs of abuse. People were supported and included in everything and independence was promoted in a respectful way. We observed there to be sufficient staff available to meet people's needs. Staff were available to support people with daily living skills such as food preparation and cleaning and tidying the home. People were supported when using utensils to ensure they remained safe. Staff responded to people when they required support. For example, one person had poor mobility and poor eye sight and was supported to walk around the home with staff who ensured obstacles were removed.

People told us they felt safe at The Cornerstone. One person said, “I like it here and I have lots of friends. I feel safe and get on with some of the service users more than others. I haven't had any accidents. I take my medication with support and I know what I am taking. The best thing about living here is my bedroom and the quiet room as it can be quite noisy. I would like my own place.” A family member told us, “It's very good. They look after him well. They do the right risk assessments. I would like to be more updated with his appointments. They involve me in his reviews and ask for my consent. The staff are good and friendly. I would know if he was unhappy. He accepts that it is his home.”

Care plans identified risks and were based on likelihood and consequences. Risks included hazards, activity and risk controls in place to mitigate the risk occurring.

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

There were no signs of abuse. People were supported and included in everything and independence was promoted in a respectful way. We observed there to be sufficient staff available to meet people's needs. Staff were available to support people with daily living skills such as food preparation and cleaning and tidying the home. People were supported when using utensils to ensure they remained safe. Staff responded to people when they required support. For example, one person had poor mobility and poor eye sight and was supported to walk around the home with staff who ensured obstacles were removed.

People told us they felt safe at The Cornerstone. One person said, “I like it here and I have lots of friends. I feel safe and get on with some of the service users more than others. I haven't had any accidents. I take my medication with support and I know what I am taking. The best thing about living here is my bedroom and the quiet room as it can be quite noisy. I would like my own place.” A family member told us, “It's very good. They look after him well. They do the right risk assessments. I would like to be more updated with his appointments. They involve me in his reviews and ask for my consent. The staff are good and friendly. I would know if he was unhappy. He accepts that it is his home.”

Staff received support and direction from the management team and had regular supervision sessions to discuss their work and career. Staff have to complete Oliver McGowen training as part of their mandatory training. The provider's training matrix viewed on site. It included mandatory training such as dignity, equality and diversity, fluids and nutrition, communication, IPC, MCA/DoLS, food hygiene, first aid, health and safety, safeguarding, medicines, manual handling, fire training, dementia, mental health, autism, end of life care, positive behaviour, GDPR and working with learning disabilities. Most training was up to date and where there were gaps these were explained such as maternity leave. Staff were recruited safely and documentation was well organised and maintained. An induction programme is completed when staff join the team and shadow shifts are arranged until staff feel confident in their role and get to know people they will support.

Staff demonstrated knowledge about how to assess and manage risks. Positive behaviour support plans were in place. Staff told us that they understood how to support people in a positive way. Staff had confidence in all managers and felt able to discuss things openly with them. Leaders told us that that staff morale was good and the staff team enjoyed working with each other. There was a good sense of teamwork.

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 observed that medicines were given to people in a person-centred and caring way. Where people preferred a different routine for their medicines this was supported by the service.

Staff told us there was information available to them which enabled them to manage medicines safely and effectively. Staff were trained in medicines administration and had competency assessments completed annually. This ensured staff could safely administer medicines.

People told us they felt safe at The Cornerstone. One person said, “I like it here and I have lots of friends. I feel safe and get on with some of the service users more than others. I haven't had any accidents. I take my medication with support and I know what I am taking. The best thing about living here is my bedroom and the quiet room as it can be quite noisy. I would like my own place.” A family member told us, “It's very good. They look after him well. They do the right risk assessments. I would like to be more updated with his appointments. They involve me in his reviews and ask for my consent. The staff are good and friendly. I would know if he was unhappy. He accepts that it is his home.”

People were given their medicines safely and in a timely manner. This was recorded on their medicines administration record (MAR). Care plans were detailed and ensured staff knew how to support people’s individual needs. People were seen by their GP at least annually for a routine check-up in line with national guidance. There were processes in place to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines. However, records were not completed to indicate the name and quantity of medicines taken on offsite visits. Records did not indicate people’s preferences of how they wanted their medicines to be administered.