21 Hartsworth Close

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. This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated 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.

Audits completed by managers and senior leaders were robust and effective in identifying areas for improvement and opportunities to embed and develop good practice. Findings from the audits were discussed within the management team and with the wider staff team to share the learning to improve practice which were recorded in team meeting minutes.

The provider shared their learning with other professionals and were proactive in seeking feedback from others about ways to improve the delivery of their service and enhance the quality of life for people they supported.

The provider worked with people, healthcare professionals and partner agencies to establish and maintain safe systems of care. They ensured risks were appropriately managed and monitored and worked to provide continuity of care, including when people moved between services or experienced changes in their support needs.

Comprehensive assessments of people's needs were completed before they moved into the service. People's needs, preferences and wishes regarding their care and support were clearly documented in their initial assessments and care plans. The provider had sought and considered the views of family members and relevant professionals as part of the assessment and care planning process.

The provider worked effectively with the landlord and other partner agencies to ensure equipment and adaptations such as wheelchair ramps and a stair lift were available when required. This helped people to remain safely in their home and continue receiving support in a familiar environment.

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.

People told us they felt safe living in the service. They were clear about who they could talk to and were able to tell us they could talk to the staff and in particular one of the managers if they had any concerns. A person said, “I could talk to any of them, they’re all lovely so I know I could tell them if I was worried. I know the manager or the deputy manager would sort it out.”

Staff received training about safeguarding and were clear about who to report to if they had concerns. Managers discussed safeguarding regularly in team meeting which were used as a way of testing staff knowledge about the types of abuse and the actions they would take if they witnessed abuse occurring and the actions they would take.

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 had person centred risk assessments which encompassed all aspects of their lives, both within the service and in their wider community. Risk assessments had been developed with the involvement of people, and where appropriate, their family members and professionals involved in their care. People were encouraged to take positive risks to develop their independence, confidence and life skills. One person told us told us, “Since moving here I have got to know the local area and the staff are helping me to learn the bus route so I can go and visit my relatives on my own.”

Staff understood the importance of positive risk taking and explained how they balanced people’s safety with their right to independence. One staff member described how they supported people to develop practical skills, such as cooking, by observing from a distance and only providing guidance and intervention when necessary to prevent harm. They explained this approach had helped people gain confidence, develop new skills and improve their understanding of potential risks associated with everyday tasks.

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

The provider had assessed risks relating to all areas of the service, including the environment within and around the property. Hazardous substances, including cleaning products, were stored securely, and equipment used within the service had been appropriately risk assessed.

The provider had worked proactively with the landlord and partner agencies to ensure suitable adaptations were made to meet the changing needs of people living in the service. This included the installation of a fully accessible shower room and stairlift. These adaptations enabled a person to remain living safely in their home despite changes in their mobility and support needs.

The provider made sure there were sufficient numbers of qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs safely. Staff worked collaboratively to provide safe, person centred care and support which reflected people’s individual needs and preferences. Staff received appropriate support, supervision and opportunities for professional development.

The provider had clear, robust recruitment procedures in place. This meant staff were recruited in line with current legislation which included for example, references from previous employers and criminal records checks.

Staff completed a comprehensive induction programme and undertook a period of shadowing which was tailored to their individual learning and development needs. This enabled staff to build the knowledge, confidence and skills required to perform their roles effectively. Staff had completed mandatory training and additional specialist training relevant to supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

People we spoke to felt the staff team kept them safe. One person said, “I’m not worried about anything but if I was, I could talk to [manager] or any of the other staff.”

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.

The service was clean, well maintained and visibly hygienic. There were clear cleaning procedures in place which were completed by both people living at the service and staff, helping to maintain a safe and pleasant environment. Staff had access to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which supported the prevention and control of infection risk.

The provider had an infection prevention and control policy in place. This provided guidance on the risk associated with infectious diseases, measures to reduce the risk of transmission, and the actions staff should take in the event of an outbreak.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. People were involved in planning and reviewing their support, including when changes to their medicines were required.

The provider had effective systems in place to support the safe management of medicines. There was a designated manager responsible for overseeing medicines management within the service, including the receipt, storage administration and monitoring of medicines. Daily checks were undertaken to provide oversight and help ensure medicines were administered safely and as prescribed.

Staff received training medicines management and had their competency assessed regularly to ensure they remained safe and effective in their practice. Competency assessments and medicines procedures were aligned with current best practice guidance, helping to ensure people received their medicines safely and consistently.