Glenmore Trust - Northumberland Street

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 questiongood. At this assessmentthe 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 proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Staff generally understood how to report concerns. However, some staff felt learning and actions taken following concerns were not always visible. One member of staff told us,“Nothing appeared to be done” when concerns had been raised. There was no evidence that safety concerns raised about people using the service were being ignored.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establishand maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.

Staff worked with housing providers, healthcare professionals and local authorities to support transitions and changes in people's circumstances. Care records were generally updated when people's needs changed. However, some transition-related risks, including tenancy sustainment and social isolation, were not always fully documented.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. The provider had safeguarding policies, processes and leadership arrangements in place. Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities and risk assessments considered risks such as exploitation, financial abuse and personal safety. Staff told us safeguarding concerns could be discussed openly with managers and were acted upon appropriately.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.

People were supported to take positive risks while maintaining their independence. Risk assessments covered areas such as finances, medicines, community access and health needs. Staff encouraged people to make decisions about their lives, maintain community involvement and pursue activities that were important to them. However, records did not always reflect people's current needs or circumstances, and we found people had risk assessment that were not needed as part of their planned care. We were assured that people were receiving safe care from staff who knew them well.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

People lived in homes that were clean, personalised and generally well maintained. During our visits, people appeared comfortable in their environments and moved around safely. Environmental risks were routinely monitored. However, we identified moss on an external fire escape, which increased the risk of slips. The provider accepted this finding and will incorporate these additional checks into their health and safety audits to consistently identify and address environmental risks.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

Staffing arrangements in place enabled staff to support people safely.The provider followed safe recruitment processes. Recruitment records included Disclosure and Barring Service checks, references, employment histories, identity verification and right-to-work checks. The provider also monitored sponsored workers appropriately. Staff completed induction and mandatory training and described positive support from local managers.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of itspreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

Staff followed infection prevention and control procedures and the environments visited were clean and tidy. People and staff worked together to make sure the environment was clean and safe.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs,capacitiesand preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened.

Medicines were managed safely through electronic medicines administration systems,routine audits and regular oversight. Spot checks completed during the assessment matched records reviewed and medicines returns were appropriately reconciled. Support plans provided guidance for staff about administering medicines safely.