Sudley Road

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 felt able to raise concerns about safety, and these were listened to, investigated and acted upon appropriately. Learning from safety events was used to continually identify opportunities for improvement and embed good practice.

Accidents and incidents were recorded electronically and in real time, providing senior leaders with immediate oversight. These events were discussed with people and with staff during daily handovers, team meetings and management reviews to ensure learning was shared across the service. Information was analysed to identify trends and improve safety, practice and outcomes for people. For example, the review and revision of medicine protocols had been effective in reducing medicine recording errors.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. Records demonstrated clear planning and coordination for health appointments and service transitions, with appropriate support in place to meet people’s individual and complex needs. Hospital passports and emergency healthcare packs were maintained and regularly updated to support safe and effective hospital admissions and appointments.

Comprehensive assessments of people’s needs, safety, and wellbeing were carried out in partnership with them when they joined the service and when they chose to move on, helping to ensure safe, person-centred transitions.

People were supported to understand what being safe meant to them and how best to achieve this. Staff promoted people’s right to live safely, free from abuse, discrimination, harm and neglect, while supporting their quality of life. The provider shared safeguarding concerns promptly and appropriately. Staff had completed safeguarding training and demonstrated a good understanding of the signs of abuse and how to escalate concerns.

Where people were deprived of their liberty, appropriate Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations were in place. Any restrictions were applied lawfully, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and were proportionate, in the person’s best interests, and the least restrictive option. People were involved in decisions about their care and support, including agreed measures to promote their wellbeing and safety. A person who had agreed to restricted access to their electronic devices at night told us, “It helps me to sleep and be awake in the morning, ready for good things to do.”

People had access to safeguarding information, including in an easy read format. A person told us they would tell the police and staff if people were unkind to them. People told us they felt safe and supported by staff. One person told us they felt safe, “Because staff go into town with me.” Another told us, “They keep me safe, yes they do” And “[Staff name] helps me to do things safely.” Relatives told us their loved ones were safe. A relative said, “There is an excellent continuity of staff who are fully aware of [name] individual needs and are very supportive and helpful to them.”

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Risks were assessed and managed with people’s involvement and enabled them to do the things that mattered to them while maintaining their independence.

Care plans and risk assessments reflected individual preferences and promoted positive risk-taking, supporting people to maintain their independence at home, in the community, and when taking part in activities.

Risks associated with people’s health, such as epilepsy, mobility and nutrition, were known and managed. Staff understood how to balance safety with independence and used active support approaches to help people develop their skills and confidence. For example, following a review of risks, a person was supported to safely manage their own cutlery, enabling them to make their own sandwiches and enjoy greater independence.

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

People lived in individual flats that were managed by a housing provider who was responsible for arranging safety checks and ensuring compliance. Safety checks, including fire, gas, and electrical inspections, were up to date. Staff supported people to raise any concerns about their accommodation with the landlord.

Staff had completed fire safety training, and people had personalised emergency evacuation plans in place. Appropriate fire safety signage and equipment were in place throughout the premises to promote safety. Assistive technology was used to enhance environmental safety, including vibrating pillows and flashing visual alarm systems to alert people who were deaf or hard of hearing to fire alarms.

The provider ensured there were enough qualified, skilled, and experienced staff who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff worked well together to deliver safe care that met people's individual needs. People were supported by consistent staff who had developed positive and trusting relationships with them.

Recruitment processes were safe and robust, with appropriate pre-employment checks completed before staff commenced their roles. Staff completed a comprehensive induction programme and received mandatory and specialist training tailored to the needs of the people they supported, including mandatory training in supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people. Competency assessments were carried out regularly to evaluate staff knowledge, skills, and practice. People told us they had opportunities to be involved in the recruitment of new staff and were able to ask questions about matters that were important to them. A relative said, “All the staff do a brilliant job.”

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They took appropriate action to identify and control the spread of infection and shared any concerns promptly with relevant agencies when required.

Infection prevention and control measures were effective. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of their responsibilities and consistently used personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly. An up-to-date Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) policy reflected current guidance and best practice, and staff received appropriate training to support safe working practices.

People had access to cleaning products and were supported to use them safely and independently when cleaning their homes, promoting both infection control and independence. A person who liked to litter pick when they were out and about was reminded to wash their hands when they returned home.

Medicines were managed safely and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff received regular medicines training and competency assessments to support safe practice. They demonstrated a good understanding of when to administer ‘as required’ (PRN) medicines and when to seek medical advice.

People had person-centred medicine plans and were actively involved in planning and reviewing their medicines, including when changes were made. People understood the reasons their medicines had been prescribed and were supported to manage their medicines in line with their individual needs, capacities, and preferences. Medicines were stored securely within people’s own homes. A person showed us a medicine cabinet in their flat. They said, “My medication is in there and staff help me with them.” Where people had specifically requested not to keep their own medicines, suitable arrangements were in place to store them safely on their behalf.

The provider followed national best practice guidance, including the principles of STOMP (Stopping Over-Medication of People with a Learning Disability, Autism, or Both). People’s medicines were reviewed regularly by prescribers to ensure they remained appropriate and effective. Medicines were ordered, stored, administered, and recorded safely, supporting safe management of medicines across the service.