Lifeways Community Care (Poole)

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 service 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. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Accidents and incidents were recorded by staff and investigated by management. Action was taken to prevent recurrence and keep people safe. Staff told us lessons learned were shared with them. One staff member told us following incidents, “We receive feedback through team meetings, handovers, and supervision, and learning is shared to reduce the risk of recurrence.”

The service 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.

People’s needs were assessed before they received a service, and these assessments formed the basis of their care plan. A guide was in place to provide additional support during transition. There was also a process in place to support hospital admission. People’s information was kept up to date through regular reviews.

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. The service shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

Relatives told us they felt people were safe being supported by Lifeways Community Care (Poole). Policies and procedures were in place. Staff received safeguarding training, understood how to raise concerns, and felt confident management would act immediately. Safeguarding systems and processes were in place to identify, report and, investigate concerns. Records showed appropriate action had been taken where necessary.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They 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 be engaged in positive risk taking, such as participating in community activities and going on holiday. Potential risks to people had been assessed, and measures were in place to reduce the risk of harm. For example, around choking. Detailed care plans and risk assessments provided guidance to staff and ensured people were supported in line with their needs and preferences. These were reviewed regularly. Staff told us they were provided with all the information needed to support people safely and they were informed when risk assessments were updated.

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

A relative told us, “Since [person] moved from their previous place, they have been quite a lot happier, they find the environment good. I see [person] more relaxed, since they been with lifeways, they have been happy.” The provider had assessed risks in people’s environments. People had personal evacuation plans in place, which provided staff with guidance on how to support people to leave their home safely in an emergency.

The service 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. Relatives told us they were happy with the care provided. Management regularly reviewed the staffing levels to ensure there were sufficient staff. Staff received training, supervision and competency checks. New staff completed a structured induction process to ensure they received appropriate training for their role. Staff told us they received the training they required, and they could request additional training if needed. Staff also told us their supervision was effective. One staff member told us, “I have the chance to share updates and discuss any concerns I may have. I have the opportunity to share how I want to develop, and I am encouraged to learn and develop.”

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

People were protected from avoidable infections, as staff were trained and worked in safe, hygienic ways. Management regularly reviewed levels of personal protective equipment (PPE), to ensure it was always available for staff. Relatives told us staff supported people to keep their homes clean.

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

People received their medicines as prescribed. PRN (as and when required) protocols were in place to guide staff on when to administer these medicines. Staff received regular training, along with competency checks, to ensure safe practices with medicines. Regular audits were carried out to identify any concerns.