74 Old Ford End

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 requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to 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.

At our last inspection we found the service did not always have a proactive culture of safety. Accident and incident reports had not always been completed. At this inspection we found improvements had been made. We found lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Incidents and accidents were recorded and reviewed to identify any themes and trends; lessons were shared among the staff team.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and 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. At this inspection we found systems were now in place to ensure people’s health and safety was assessed and people were involved to manage risks.

At our last inspection we found people were not always protected from the risk of harm and abuse. At this inspection we found improvements had been made. 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. We found safeguarding concerns were referred to the local authority as appropriate. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to keep people safe and understood how to raise any concerns.

At our last inspection we found the provider had failed to fully assess known risks to people. At this inspection, we found improvements had been made. 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. Care plans and associated risk assessments were specific to each individual and were clear on any action staff may need to take to keep people safe.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. For example, where people used equipment in the service, this was well maintained. Health and safety checks on the premises were completed in line with regulatory requirements.

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. We observed there were enough staff on duty during our visits. Where people had allocated one to one staffing, records showed people received this. Staff received regular training to enable them to carry out their roles safely. One staff member said, “I am feeling so good here, everyone is friendly. [Registered manager] supports us and training is really good.” However, some relatives told us staffing could be a problem at times, one relative said, “There are usually enough staff, but sometimes there aren’t enough staff when they take other people out. They have had to cancel [Person’s] swimming due to not enough staff. Another relative said, “I think there’s enough staff but occasionally they can’t take [Person] out due to staff issues and shortages.”

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. We observed the environment was clean. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was available where needed. Staff received training in infection prevention and control.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. Where people had medicines as required (PRN), PRN protocols were in place and were person centred. The use of PRN medicines was regularly monitored and reviewed. Medicines were stored safely and securely.