Barleycombe

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. A member of staff told us, “Anything that could have gone better, managers complete a lesson learnt and shares this with the team.”

The registered manager kept an electronic overview of accidents and incidents which had been responded to or investigated where required. Lessons learned were shared with the staffing team to continually identify and embed good practice.

Staff told us information was regularly shared through staff meetings, supervisions and updated in people’s care plans.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to maintain safe systems of care and ensure continuity, including during transitions between services.

The registered manager described how collaboration with staff and external professionals led to a personalised desensitisation program using real equipment and key words to reduce a person’s phobia. This helped the person feel safe, respected, and in control, enabling them to access essential health checks with less fear and improving long-term wellbeing.

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.

Although staff knew who to report concerns to internally, some were unsure about external reporting. One staff member said, “My first point of call would be my manager, but I would also take it higher. Not sure who I would go to outside of the organisation.” We shared this with the registered manager, who confirmed it would be added to the next staff meeting agenda.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) referrals were made where restrictions applied, and the registered manager used a tracker to monitor them. People can only be deprived of liberty for care and treatment with legal authority. In care homes, this is done through DoLS, part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked compliance with MCA principles and found referrals were completed as required and tracked effectively.

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's personal safety were assessed, monitored and managed effectively. The support plans we looked at contained detailed and person-centred information regarding how to help make sure people kept safe in all areas of their daily lives, such as nutrition, mobility, mental health, finances, activities and medication.

Staff knew people well; they were able to tell us about associated risks to people and how they managed those risks. A member of staff told us, “I took time to read all the care plans and know most risks.”

The registered manager told us, “The people we support at Barleycombe are supported to make everyday choices that involve minor risks – choosing meals, clothing, participating in activities and getting involved in the cooking if they wish to. The staff team at Barleycombe are trained to respect the rights for all the people we support to take an informed risk if they understand the possible consequences. We support the people living at Barleycombe to make their own choices while helping them manage health-related risks in a balanced way.”

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

The registered manager carried out health and safety checks, including regular fire checks, to ensure people’s wellbeing. During our visit, the home was clean, and rooms well maintained, though some communal areas and flooring needed redecoration. A service improvement plan was in place with required works and timescales.

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.

Safe recruitment processes and checks were completed. People were actively involved in interviews, asking prepared questions such as, “Can you spend time doing arts and crafts”, “Have you done this job before” and “What type of music do you like” This inclusive approach gave people a voice in selecting candidates who would support them.

Staff told us there were enough team members to support people safely. Comments included, “Yes, on most occasions, there are always enough staff on shift to ensure the safety of the individuals we support,” and “There are enough staff on shift to ensure safety. Staff communicate their whereabouts and work as a team to cover vital areas of the building, so they know people’s movements.” Some staff noted that some evenings could feel busy when working with minimum numbers, as tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and supporting people needed to be completed.

People told us there were enough staff to support them safely. One person told us, “The staff help us all the time. I think there are enough staff to help me.”

Staffing rosters provided to us by the registered manager demonstrated sufficient staff were planned to ensure people’s needs were met effectively.

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.

Effective systems protected people from infection risks. Staff were provided with personal protective equipment and trained in infection control. One staff member said, “We coach the people we support on hygiene practices and prevent cross-contamination by following good team practices. They are reminded daily about basic hygiene methods.”

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 received their medicines safely, on time, and as prescribed, supported by clear policies and secure storage. Records were complete with no gaps, and protocols guided the use of ‘as required’ medicines. Staff administering medicines had completed training and competency checks, and regular audits ensured safe practice. People were involved in their medicine administration and support. One person told us about 1 of their medicines and explained how it worked.

A relative told us, “They [staff] tell me when [person] goes to the doctors and any medication changes. I have never known of any errors, I am well informed.”