Swanage Lodge

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

The last rating for this key question was 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 developed a culture where staff discussed and learnt from things that went wrong. Staff reported and recorded accidents, incidents and concerns. These were investigated by the management team and appropriate action was taken to keep people safe and improve the service. Managers discussed lessons learnt in staff meetings to enable staff to share best practice and learn from each other. Staff told us they felt there were good opportunities to learn together. Their comments included, “We have a set agenda each month. We discuss issues at staff forums and speak with each other about these” and “I do not feel intimidated by the managers because they are like colleagues, they help us discuss the best approach and learn when problems arise.”

The provider supported people to have safe transitions and pathways. Everyone living at the service had been there for some time. They were settled and happy living there. People told us staff supported them to access external healthcare services to make sure their needs were met. Staff developed easily accessible information about people’s needs and how they communicated so these could be shared with other professionals.

The provider had systems designed to safeguard people from abuse. Staff undertook training on how to recognise and report abuse. Staff demonstrated a good knowledge and understanding. The provider had worked with the local safeguarding team and others to investigate and respond to allegations of abuse. They had updated procedures and developed plans to help protect people from harm. Staff told us they discussed safeguarding procedures with managers, and we saw these had been discussed in team meetings to help develop staff knowledge.

People using the service told us they felt safe. They felt comfortable with staff and managers. They felt their rights were protected.

There were systems to help protect people from financial abuse. When staff supported people with finances, there were clear records, audits and checks of this.

The provider had requested legal authorisations where restrictions amounted to a deprivation of liberty for people who did not have the capacity to consent to these. Decisions about people’s care were made in their best interests and for their safety.

The provider assessed and planned for risks to people’s safety and wellbeing. Risk assessments were regularly reviewed. The assessments included clear actions for staff to help keep people safe, whilst promoting choice and allowing people to take risks.

Staff had training to understand how to support people safely. One staff member told us, “It is nice for people to be independent. We talk with them and explain risks. We guide them to manage their own safety. We try to get them to take the lead.”

People told us they were involved in planning their care which included identifying risks and discussing ways to manage these. Some people smoked. They had developed plans with staff about how to reduce this for their health and finances. Some people explained they were able to go out independently and how staff had supported them to understand risks within the local community.

We observed staff supporting people in a safe way. They allowed people to make choices and take informed risks, for example helping in the kitchen. During our visit, there were some situations where people became agitated and expressed frustration towards staff. We saw these situations were managed well and staff helped people to feel calm and process their feelings.

People lived in a safe and well-maintained environment. People had their own bedrooms which they had personalised. People felt comfortable in communal rooms and spent time in these. Staff and managers carried out checks on the environment to make sure it was safe, and any repairs were attended to. There were appropriate procedures for fire safety which included regular fire drills and testing equipment.

People using the service had been supported by staff to look after the garden and grow vegetables.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. People told us they liked the staff, had support when they needed and did not have to wait for care. One person commented, “Staff are good, the care is fantastic, the staff are lovely.”

Staff told us there were enough of them and they were able to request additional staffing to support people with activities or in an emergency. Comments from staff included, “We have enough time with the residents” and “We have good breaks, and the provider is flexible so we can take time when we need it.”

There were systems to ensure staff were suitable including recruitment checks, an induction, a range of training and regular competency assessments. Managers provided staff with supervisions and appraisals so they could discuss their work and the service. The provider supported staff to undertake qualifications and work towards promotion.

The provider had systems to prevent and control the spread of infection. Staff had training about this. Staff followed cleaning schedules and there were regular audits of cleanliness and infection control. Staff had personal protective equipment (PPE) when this was needed.

People received their medicines as prescribed and in a safe way. They told us they were happy with the support they received. Staff worked with healthcare professionals to ensure people’s medicines were reviewed. One staff member told us, “I would immediately escalate any concerns to a GP if I felt there was an issue with medicines.”

Some people managed their own/some of their own medicines. The risks associated with this had been assessed and staff monitored this to make sure people were safe and managed this appropriately.

Medicines were appropriately stored and recorded. There were records about people’s medicines and why these had been prescribed. There were clear protocols for staff to understand when they needed to administer ‘as required’ PRN medicines. Staff liaised with healthcare professionals to make sure people could safely use over the counter medicines and supplements which they had purchased for themselves. The management team conducted regular audits of medicines management and made improvements when problems were identified.

Staff undertook training about the safe handling of medicines. Managers regularly assessed their knowledge and competencies. Staff discussed best practice about medicines at team meetings. At a recent team meeting managers had tested staff knowledge and generated discussions about medicines management.