Archived: Octavia Housing - Park Lodge 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. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

The provider had processes for staff to report any accidents or incidents. These incidents were investigated by senior staff to identify any improvements which could be made. The registered manager told us that following an investigation,

the outcomes were discussed with staff at handover, supervision and team meetings. Staff confirmed that senior staff discussed any identified actions following an incident or complaint so they could provide better care. A staff member said, “[We] learn by acknowledging and analysing the mistake then sharing that information openly and transparently with the team to foster a culture of constructive feedback and a growth mindset.”

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 explained they attended an extra care panel which was made up of health, social care and other professionals who reviewed applications for people wanting to move into the service. The person’s care needs were assessed to ensure these could be met by the service. The person and their family/representatives were supported to visit the service to look at the flat and the extra care scheme to see if they were happy with accommodation and the support available to meet their needs.

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 confirmed they felt care was provided in a safe manner with comments including, “[Family member] is safe with the carers and likes them”, and “[Family member] is safe and happy.” The registered manager told us there was a safeguarding policy. Where safeguarding concerns had been identified they worked with the local authority to look into the issue and identify actions to reduce possible risks. Staff completed training on safeguarding adults, and demonstrated they understood their responsibility to report any concerns. Staff members comments about safeguarding included, “Ongoing process of protecting people's health, wellbeing, and human rights by preventing and responding to abuse, harm and neglect”, and “To protect a vulnerable person by looking out for any sign of abuse and neglect.”

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.

Risks to people health and wellbeing were assessed. The risk assessments were specific to the person and included guidance for staff on how to reduce the identified risks. Risk assessments were regularly reviewed and updated following an incident or change in a person’s support needs. There was also information for staff on medical conditions people lived with and how they may impact the way care was provided. Staff completed training to enable them to provide care in a safe manner. The training included support people’s mobility, slips, trips and falls, and health and safety. People and relative confirmed they felt the care was provided in a safe way. A relative said, “What I have observed, when I visit, is the carers are well trained and are efficient with manual handling.” The registered manager explained they worked with the person, relatives and representatives when completing risk assessments to discuss the issues and identify how to reduce possible risks.

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 registered manager explained a range of risk assessments were completed in relation to a person’s home environment and possible risks. A fire risk assessment was completed to identify any issues, and staff were provided with guidance on how to reduce them. Personal emergency evacuation plans had been developed to provide staff with guidance on how to support the person in case of an emergency. Checks were also carried out on any mobility equipment people used to ensure they were in working order and regularly maintained.

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.

The provider had a recruitment procedure which enabled them to identify suitable staff to provide care. These included a range of checks on applicants. New staff completed an induction to the service which included meeting all the people receiving support. New staff completed the mandatory training before they started providing care and undertook shadowing of an experience staff member when supporting people. Staff confirmed they had completed a range of training and attended regular supervision and team meetings. A relative said, “What I have observed, when I visit, are the carers are well trained.” Staff felt the staffing levels were appropriate.

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 registered manager confirmed there was an infection prevention and control policy and procedures. Observations were carried out to monitor staff practice. Staff confirmed they were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and had completed training on infection prevention and control. People and relatives confirmed staff used PPE when providing care. A relative told us, “The carers wear their gloves and aprons. I have seen them wash their hands after personal care and before preparing food and drinks.”

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’s medicines were administered safely and as prescribed. Staff completed records when they administered people’s medicines. The medicines administration records (MAR) included information on the dosage, frequency of administration and any specific guidance in relation to the medicine. People were asked for their consent for the staff to administer their medicines and this was recorded. Staff completed training on the administration of medicines with their competency and understanding regularly assessed. Regular audits of the administration of medicines were carried out. A relative said, “They also help with [family member] medicines and there have been no errors as far as I am aware.”