Brighstone Grange

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.

There was a positive culture of safety based on openness and learning. Accidents and incidents were reviewed to identify potential patterns, triggers and areas where people's care or risk management needed to change. The registered manager demonstrated how learning from events was used to strengthen safety, including reviewing risk assessments and introducing additional measures following incidents. Where improvements were identified, action was taken promptly and learning was shared with staff.

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 experienced safe and effective transitions between services. Pre-admission assessments were completed to establish people’s needs and whether these could be safely met at the service, and information gathered was reflected within people’s subsequent care planning. When people transferred to or from hospital, relevant information about their health, medicines and care needs was shared, including through emergency hospital information.

The registered manager described how people returning from hospital were reassessed where appropriate, with consideration given to any changes in equipment, support needs and whether the service could continue to meet their needs safely.

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 were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. The registered manager and staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities and knew how to recognise, report and escalate concerns, including to external organisations where necessary. People told us they felt able to raise concerns. One person said, “I could talk to any of the staff if something was worrying me.”

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were appropriately managed. Applications were made where required, with systems in place to monitor authorisations and ensure these were renewed when necessary.

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 were involved in decisions about how risks associated with their care and support were managed. Individual risks were assessed and reflected within people’s care plans, with guidance for staff about how to support people safely while maintaining their independence and choices.

Risk assessments were reviewed following incidents or changes in people’s needs, and staff demonstrated an understanding of people’s individual risks and how these should be managed.

The provider did not always detect and control potential risks in the care environment. Environmental risk assessments and regular safety checks were in place; however, we identified some areas which required further action, including potential trip hazards and maintenance of the property. For example, some double-glazed windows required attention and handrails needed to be a suitable contrasting colour to support their safe use.

The provider was aware of the challenges presented by the older building, and the registered manager took prompt action when concerns were raised, including addressing trip hazards in communal areas.

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. There were enough suitably skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Staff received appropriate training and support to carry out their roles effectively, and competency assessments were completed where required.

Safe recruitment procedures were followed, with the necessary pre-employment checks completed to help ensure staff were suitable to work with people. People spoke positively about staff and the support they received, and we observed staff responding to people’s needs in a kind and attentive way.

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 and well maintained. Housekeeping arrangements were in place, and staff had received infection prevention and control training and understood their responsibilities. Appropriate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) were readily available for staff to use when required.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Medicines were managed safely. Medicines were stored securely and records sampled demonstrated appropriate administration and stock-control arrangements. People were supported to receive their medicines as prescribed, with 1 person telling us, “They [staff] help with my medication. They come and give it to me.” Staff responsible for administering medicines had received training and competency assessments and understood how to respond to medicines-related concerns.