Yourlife (Wimborne)

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 newly registered 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. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Staff recorded and reported accidents and incidents. Effective systems were in place to monitor and review these reports, ensuring appropriate action was taken to maintain people's safety and drive improvements. Care was delivered safely, with staff communicating effectively to support people's needs. Records were updated promptly to reflect any changes in people's circumstances, and lessons learned were shared across the staff team to promote continuous improvement. One staff member told us, “I get this information from up-to-date care and support plans, risk assessments and handovers between shifts.”
 

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.

Initial assessments were carried out to ensure the service could meet people’s individual needs and provide appropriate support before care commenced. Comprehensive care plans were then developed, giving staff clear and detailed guidance on how to deliver personalised care and support.

Staff responded effectively to changes in people’s health and wellbeing, communicating concerns promptly and escalating issues when necessary. Relatives were kept informed, and appropriate healthcare professionals, including emergency services, were contacted to ensure people received timely support and treatment.
 

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 and relatives told us they knew how to raise any issues and were confident they would be listened to.

Systems and processes were in place for recording and reporting any information of concern received by the provider. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures and understood the actions they needed to take to ensure people were protected from abuse. A staff member told us, “I would ensure that the person is safe and then report my concerns straight away to my line manager or deputy manager. I would follow our safeguarding policy and make sure I record everything accordingly and accurately. Internally it would be our safeguarding team. Externally it would be the local authority and police if someone was in immediate danger.”
 

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 personalised care plans that clearly identified risks associated with their health conditions, care needs and overall wellbeing. These plans provided staff with detailed guidance on how to support people safely and effectively. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people’s individual risks and were knowledgeable about how to help people manage and reduce those risks.

People told us they were involved in discussions about their care and support needs and contributed to the development of plans designed to manage identified risks. Risk assessments were reviewed regularly to ensure they remained up to date, accurate and reflective of any changes in people’s needs or circumstances.

People were supported to take positive risks and maintain their independence wherever this could be achieved safely. The registered manager told us, “When supporting a person who has experienced a change in their mobility, we would speak with the person to understand how they feel and how they would like to be supported. We would also seek information from family or friends where appropriate and work with professionals, such as an Occupational Therapist, to understand any changes in mobility, equipment or moving and handling needs.”

The registered manager explained that this information was used to review and update care plans and risk assessments, ensuring staff had clear guidance on how to support people safely while promoting their independence, choice and dignity. They added, “We would continue to monitor the person and review the care plan if their needs changed. This ensures that care remains a living process rather than a one-off assessment, helping to reduce risks, prevent avoidable harm and ensure the person receives safe, effective and personalised support.”

Staff were made aware of any changes through established communication processes, including handovers and care plan updates, enabling them to provide consistent and responsive care.
 

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

During initial assessments leaders assessed risks in people’s environment and identified any equipment that was needed or in use. People’s care records contained information about identified risks and gave staff guidance on how to work safely in people’s homes. The environmental assessments were regularly reviewed alongside people’s care plans to support delivery of safe care. Staff were provided with training on any equipment in use.
 

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 were recruited safely, and recruitment records demonstrated that appropriate pre-employment checks had been completed before staff began working at the service. These checks included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for staff working with adults, helping to ensure suitable people were employed to support individuals using the service.

People told us they were supported by a consistent team of staff who were reliable, arrived at the expected times and stayed for the agreed duration of their visits. This helped people to build positive relationships with staff and receive continuity of care.

Staff received the training and development they needed to carry out their roles effectively. Records showed staff completed mandatory and role-specific training and received regular supervision to support their professional development and monitor their performance. Staff spoke positively about their roles and told us they felt valued and well supported by the management team.
 

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.

People told us staff followed correct infection control practices, including wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons when providing care. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control and told us they understood how to promote good hygiene and minimise infection risks. The provider had developed infection control policies and procedures in line with best practice. Leaders also carried out observations of staff while they worked, to ensure they were following the relevant guidance. These measures helped reduce the risk of infections spreading.
 

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

People told us they received support with their medicines in line with their needs, and that this had been discussed and agreed with them before their care commenced.
The provider had a comprehensive medicines policy, outlining procedures for the safe handling and administration of medicines. Records confirmed staff had completed relevant medicines training and underwent regular competency assessments to ensure safe practice.
Medicines were documented on an electronic system, providing real-time records of administration. This ensured that any changes to prescribed medicines were implemented promptly and were immediately visible to all relevant staff.

Information relating to individuals’ medicine allergies was clearly recorded, ensuring staff were fully aware. The provider maintained effective medicine management systems and regularly audited medicine administration records, supporting the safe and appropriate delivery of care.