Calvert House

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.

Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. There was a system to record and investigate incidents and lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

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.

The registered manager completed pre-admission assessments with people before moving into Calvert House. Staff developed care plans with people and their families to ensure accurate information was obtained.

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. Observations showed people were happy and felt safe in the company of staff.

The provider investigated any complaints or safeguarding concerns and understood the processes to follow should incidents occur. Staff knew how to report any safeguarding concerns and professional agencies to contact. One staff member said, “People are 100% safe. People have a good relationship with staff; they have a go to person if they have a problem.”

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.

Staff felt care plans and risk assessments guided them on how to manage risk. They said they felt competent and supported to be able to prevent or respond to behaviour that communicated a need, emotions or distress. One staff member told us, “We have training to manage risk and fire drills which include day and night scenarios.”

The management team worked with specialists to manage risks related to people’s physical health.

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

Staff had good knowledge of fire safety procedures, and personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEP). The purpose of a PEEP is to ensure that all people can evacuate the building safely and promptly in the event of an emergency, regardless of their level of mobility or other health conditions.

There was an ongoing programme of maintenance to the home. When equipment were deemed unsafe, they were placed out of action until repairs could take place.

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.

Staff had been recruited safely, with appropriate pre-employment checks completed to help ensure their suitability for their roles. Staff told us they felt well supported by the registered manager and received regular supervision. They said they had access to the training they needed and felt confident they had the skills and knowledge required to provide safe care. One staff member said, “There is lots of training.”

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading.

To reduce the risk of infection and foodborne illness, opened food items should be clearly dated and used within the recommended timescales in line with manufacturer guidance. However, we observed that not all opened food items had been dated. The management team took immediate action to address this issue and implemented measures to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Staff spoken with told us there was a plentiful supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences.

Staff told us they had received appropriate training and were observed regularly by the management team to ensure they remained competent in administering medicines safely.