The Cedars

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 inspection we rated this key question good. At this inspection 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 proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. People received safe care because staff learned from safety alerts and incidents. Any incidents about people's safety were discussed with staff in a timely way, with action taken to mitigate further risks. A staff member told us, “We are encouraged to report any incidents, they are reviewed and we discuss them.”

Staff at the service always worked with people and healthcare partners to design, establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was always well managed and monitored. Staff made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. People were well-supported by staff, as they transitioned into the service at a pace that suited them. Detailed information was collected before people started to use the service, and person-centred ‘passports’ were available with information to take when attending hospital or other health appointments. Passports were also prepared to ensure people’s needs could be met, if they moved elsewhere. These documents contained important information about people’s care and communication needs, including personal details, the type of medicines people were taking, and any pre-existing health conditions.

Staff at the service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. Staff received safeguarding training. They understood their roles and responsibilities in ensuring people were safe and reporting any incidents or suspicions immediately. Relatives told us they felt people were safe. A relative commented, “[Name] lives in a safe place.” Another relative said, “Without doubt [Name] is safe, they have 2-1 staff support when they go out and they don’t get upset anymore.”

The management team ensured Deprivation of Liberty [DoLS] authorisations were sought when needed and any conditions imposed by them were followed. A relative commented, “[Name] has a DoLS in place to keep them safe. Staff manage [Name]’s risks well.”

Staff always worked well with people to fully understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care that fully met people’s needs and was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.Risks were assessed to ensure people were safe and staff took action to mitigate any identified risks. Risk assessments included guidance on supporting people to safely access the community. A relative commented, “Staff manage risk well. They know places where [Name] is happy and that certain noises can trigger their distress.” Care plans contained explanations of the measures staff would follow to keep people safe, including where people may become distressed or anxious. A relative told us, “I think the best thing is that [Name]’s anxiety has improved since they have lived there.”

The provider was fully aware of all potential risks in the care environment and controlled them well. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. A relative commented, “Staff are trained to meet [Name]’s needs safely.” The environment was well-maintained. Equipment was regularly serviced to maintain safety.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. A staff member commented, “We do a lot of training, some is face to face and some is online.” Staff were recruited safely. Staff received an induction before commencing work with people. Core training for staff was ‘refreshed’ annually. Staff worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.There were sufficient staff to support people safely. People were supported on a 1-1 or 2-1 basis and staffing levels could be increased or decreased dependent upon need.

Staff assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.Staff told us personal protective equipment (PPE) and all cleaning materials needed were available. They confirmed they had received infection control training. There was a good standard of hygiene around the building. A relative commented, “The home is clean and tidy. [Name]’s bedroom is decorated to suit their taste.”

Staff at the service made sure medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened to people’s medicines. Staff ensured medicines were reviewed if people’s needs changed, and in line with ‘Stopping over medication of people with a learning disability and autistic people (STOMP). Records of medicines were well-maintained and followed national guidance including recording people’s allergies. Medicines records were up to date and correctly completed. These were audited by the management team on a regular basis.