Champions Place

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 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 a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. The registered manager and staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. For example, staff identified that one person’s mobility deteriorated when they became unwell, which increased their risk of falls. Staff implemented daily checks on the person as recommended by the GP to identify if the person was developing symptoms of ill health.

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

Professionals told us staff provided people’s care in a safe way and ensured professional advice was followed. One professional said, “We feel that Champions Place care for their residents in a safe way. We often make recommendations within our reviews, and they are always acted upon. Annual health checks are always actioned and blood tests done at the appropriate time.”

The provider worked with people to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff focused on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from abuse, discrimination, and neglect. The provider shared concerns appropriately when necessary.

Staff attended safeguarding training in their induction and had access to regular refresher training. Staff knew how to recognise potential abuse and understood their responsibilities to report any concerns they had.

Where people were subject to restrictions for their own safety, such as not being able to leave the home unaccompanied, the provider had applied for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are designed to protect people who lack the mental capacity to consent to their care or treatment, especially when that involves restricting their freedoms.

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 said they felt safe at the home and when staff provided their care. One person told us they had felt at risk when living on their own but felt safe since moving to Champions Place.

Professionals were confident staff provided people’s care in a safe way. One professional said, “We feel that the people on our [care] pathway feel safe and secure and we never see any signs of challenging behaviour or anxiety.”

Relatives told us staff had adapted the support their family member received as their needs had changed to ensure their safety. One relative said, "They have had to change the way they care for [family member]. Now they hoist her for her safety and their safety."

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

Staff carried out regular health and safety checks, including fire safety checks. A personal emergency evacuation plan had been developed for each person, which recorded the support they would need in the event of an emergency.

A professional told us, “Staff ensure safety by monitoring health conditions, supporting mobility, and maintaining hazard-free environments.”

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

People told us staff were available when they needed them. One person said of staff, "They are always around when you need them." Relatives confirmed staff were always present to meet their family members’ needs when they visited.

Staff had access to the training, supervision, and support they needed to carry out their roles. Staff received an induction when they started work and were required to achieve the Care Certificate in order to pass their probation. The Care Certificate is a nationally recognised set of core standards for staff in health and social care, ensuring they have the fundamental knowledge, skills, and behaviours to provide safe, high-quality care.

Staff were recruited safely. The provider carried out pre-employment checks including obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service certificate. Disclosure and Barring Service checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

Staff assessed and managed the risk of infection. They controlled the risk of it spreading and understood their responsibility to share concerns with appropriate agencies if necessary.

Staff attended training in infection prevention and control and understood how to protect people from the risk of infection. Staff had access to personal protective equipment when they needed it.

The staff team carried out regular cleaning to ensure good standards of hygiene were maintained. We observed that all areas of the home were clean and hygienic during our visits. A professional said, “We have always found Champions Place to be clean and well kept. There are never unpleasant odours.”

Staff made sure people’s medicines and treatments were managed safely and reviewed regularly. Staff knew and respected people’s preferences about their medicines.

Staff received training in medicines management, and their competency was assessed before they were authorised to administer medicines.

There were appropriate arrangements for the ordering, storage, administration and disposal of medicines. Staff carried out regular medicines checks and medicines were audited as part of the provider's quality monitoring processes. The sample of medicines administration records we checked was accurate and up to date.