Falcon House Residential Home

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 72 (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 management team reviewed incidents and accidents to identify trends and patterns, using this information to implement measures aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of their responsibilities for reporting incidents and described the actions they would take to respond appropriately.

When we reviewed the oversight, the analysis of accidents and incidents was behind. However, a register of accidents and incidents was in place, and appropriate actions had been taken. The registered manager was new to the service and aware that the analysis was not fully up to date.
 

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.

People had transfer plans in place containing key information about people’s health needs, preferences and personal circumstances to support continuity of care during hospital admission or movement between services.
 

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 can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment where there is appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this is achieved through the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which form part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We reviewed how the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how DoLS were managed. Staff told us people at the service had capacity and no authorisations were in place. However, 1 person’s care plan indicated further work might be needed to ensure they fully understood the restriction in place. Following the inspection the registered manager completed an application to the local authority to authorise a DoLS..

People told us they felt safe living at the service. One person said, "I feel safe. There are staff around me; they are very good." Another person told us, "I feel safe here. It's the atmosphere here. I have my windows open, they have restrictors fitted, and I still feel safe."

Staff understood their responsibilities for keeping people safe and were able to describe the actions they would take if they had safeguarding concerns. They also demonstrated an understanding of their role in protecting people from abuse and avoidable harm.
 

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks in a holistic way. Staff delivered care that was safe, supportive, and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them while promoting their independence and wellbeing.

However, we observed that a small number of people used wheelchairs. While risks associated with wheelchair use had been considered, some aspects had not been fully explored or documented. The registered manager acknowledged this and told us they would review wheelchair-related risk assessments to ensure all potential risks were identified and managed appropriately.

Risk assessments were in place and included guidance for staff on how to support people safely. We identified some minor inconsistencies between risk assessments and other areas of people's care plans, meaning not all records fully reflected current risks. The registered manager addressed these issues and made the necessary amendments following the inspection.

Staff knew people very well and supported people to maintain their independence while managing identified 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 provider had scheduled a new fire risk assessment because it was due. Other fire safety records were available and up to date. Premises, equipment and utilities were maintained safely, with regular servicing, maintenance and safety checks completed for gas, electrical installations, water systems and other equipment in line with legal requirements and the provider's policies. The provider had taken appropriate action to address recommendations arising from a recent water system assessment.

Routine audits and environmental inspections enabled staff to identify and address hazards promptly. Equipment used to support people's care was well maintained, regularly checked and available when required, helping to ensure care could be delivered safely.
 

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff available. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

Staff told us they felt supported; however, not all staff files demonstrated regular formal supervision was taking place. The registered manager was aware of this and had plans in place to ensure supervision was completed consistently going forward. Staff had been safely recruited and had access to training to develop the knowledge and skills required for their roles. Training records showed staff had completed a range of mandatory and role-specific training, helping them to support people safely and effectively. A staff member told us, "I have received supervision, it is normally every 4 months. My last one was with the previous manager, so I have yet to have one done with the new manager. The key areas that were discussed were that I was fulfilling my role."

There were enough staff available to provide effective support for people. A person told us, "Got my buzzer in my little bag. I cannot complain they are pretty good on response. I don't ring at night but had no problems on weekends – no problems with the buzzer at all." Another person said, "Staffing levels are perfectly alright, I am never rushed by staff, and they are in control of the situation."

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 the service was clean and well maintained. During our visit, we observed that all areas of the home were clean and tidy. Staff followed good infection prevention and control practices to help keep people safe and reduce the risk of infection. Staff had completed infection prevention and control training and had access to the equipment and resources they needed to carry out their roles safely. Managers undertook regular audits to ensure standards were maintained.
 

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.

Medicines were stored, handled and administered safely. Guidance was available for medicines prescribed on an ‘as required’ basis to support staff in administering them appropriately. Staff received medicines training and their competency was regularly assessed to ensure safe and effective practice. Managers carried out routine audits and oversight checks to identify any issues, monitor compliance and support continuous improvement in medicines management.