Turning Point - Cumbria Learning Disabilities Supported Living

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 requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has improved to 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, investigated these and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Systems were in place to record, review and respond to incidents, accidents, complaints and safeguarding concerns. Leaders promoted a strong culture of safety, openness and learning. Staff were kept informed and involved in any changes to practice.

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’s hospital passports contained key information about their needs and preferences, and would be used when transferring to hospital or another establishments to ensure continuity of care during any admissions.

The provider worked with people and partner organisations to make sure care was safe and well-coordinated. Staff worked effectively with healthcare professionals and other agencies to keep people safe.

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.

The provider helped people to stay safe while living as independently as possible. People and their relatives told us they felt safe and trusted staff to support them well. Staff were trained in safeguarding, raised concerns promptly and worked closely with other professionals to protect people from harm. A person told us, “Oh yes, I am definitely safe.”

The provider worked with people and their relatives 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.

Care records included detailed risk assessments that supported people to take positive risks and live fulfilling lives. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plans were in place and regularly reviewed, giving staff clear guidance on how to support people safely and effectively.

People, and the relatives who wished to, were involved in planning care and managing risks. The provider’s care records system was effective and helped staff deliver safe, person-centred 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.

People were supported wherever possible, to look after their own homes and develop everyday living skills. They took pride in becoming more independent and managing their homes.

Regular checks were carried out on equipment and the environment to ensure safety. Fire risk assessments were up to date and regularly reviewed. People also had personal emergency evacuation plans in place to help keep them safe in the event of a fire or other emergency.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff worked well together to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

There was enough staff with the occasional use of agency when needed. A relative told us, “They (person) have a full set of staff. It’s the staff team that keeps them safe”. An advocate told us, “They (person) have the same staff that I have spoken to over the phone.” A couple of relatives commented on the shortage of drivers within the staff team. However, we found no evidence that this had impacted people’s care or support. The registered manager was aware of the issue and was taking steps to address it through ongoing recruitment.

Staff were well trained and completed appropriate learning and development as deemed mandatory by the provider, this included learning disabilities. This was consistently being reviewed to ensure staff had the relevant training to meet people’s needs. A relative said, “[Person] has a ceiling hoist and staff know how to use it safely because they are well trained and have to demonstrate competence in front of an occupational therapist.”

Safe recruitment procedures were followed. This included requesting references, and having a Disclosure and Barring Service check completed before new staff started working at the service.

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’s homes were kept clean and tidy by trained staff. Staff used PPE when needed and received appropriate training and support in this area. A person said, “Staff wear aprons and gloves.”

The provider had effective policies and procedures in place to minimise the risk of infections spreading among people and staff.

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.

Records confirmed people had received their medicines in a timely manner. As required medicines were well recorded and any medicine incidents or changes to medicines administration were well documented. A relative said, “[Person] is on medication and it is recorded on an electronic system; I have had no concerns.”

The provider acted in line with STOMP, which stands for Stopping the Over Medication of People with learning disabilities, autism or both. This is a national NHS project focused on reducing the inappropriate use of medicines.

Staff had regular checks on their medicines practice to make sure they could support people safely and confidently.