Dorset 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 inspection we rated this key question good. At this inspection 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 service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Staff recorded in detail accidents that occurred. The provider had a system in place to enable management to have oversight of these. Management ensured appropriate action was taken and recorded outcomes and lessons learned. Lessons learned were shared with staff during team meetings to prevent reoccurrence and drive improvement. The provider held regular meetings for managers within the organisation to share best practice and lessons learned and to provide a support network. This created an open learning culture.

The service 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 needs were assessed prior to Dorset Supported Living Service providing support. A guide was also in place to support people with the transition. Hospital passports were in place, which held important details and information about people. This allowed for safe transfers between services, such as when people went into hospital.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They 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 service shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

Safeguarding processes and practices upheld people's human rights, protecting them from discrimination and abuse. Staff had received safeguarding training and staff confirmed they knew how to raise concerns. Polices in place supported staff practice. A person said, “I feel safe here. I know who the staff are, they will always help me”.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They 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 were identified and assessed, with guidance for staff on how to manage these safely. Staff told us they had enough information to support people. A staff member said, “Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated whenever there is a change in a person’s health, behaviour, mobility, or circumstances, or following an accident or incident. Staff report any concerns to management promptly so that appropriate reviews can take place and care plans can be amended if required.”

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

Environmental risk assessments in place were reviewed regularly. There was a process in place for reporting issues within peoples home. The provider assessed equipment staff used to support people with their care, for example hoists. Staff had received training in how to use equipment safely.

The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development.

Staff told us they had regular supervisions and completed relevant training for their roles and training specific to individual needs of the people they supported. A staff member said, “I have regular supervision sessions where I can discuss my performance, training, wellbeing, and any concerns or development needs. I find these meetings great as they provide support, guidance, and opportunities for professional development.” Competency assessments were in place to check staff practice. Safe recruitment processes were followed, and appropriate checks were carried out before staff commenced employment.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

People were protected from the risk of avoidable infections. Staff had completed infection prevention and control training and had access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Staff supported people to maintain cleanliness within their homes.

The service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened.

People received their medicines as prescribed. Guidance was in place for staff around when to give ‘when required’ medicine. Body maps were in place for topical medicine administration providing clear direction for staff. People were supported to attend regular medicines reviews with healthcare professionals. The provider was working in line with published guidance to ensure people were not over-medicated. Staff had received training to administer medicines and checks were in place of their practice.