Newbarn Limited

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 as 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 and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Safety incidents were logged on a spreadsheet with subsequent actions to be taken. The incidents were discussed at team meetings, promoting learning and improvement.

The management team were open and transparent and wanted to drive improvement. The staff were encouraged to report any concerns to management. Where incidents had occurred the management team shared all relevant information with healthcare professionals as appropriate ensuring the safety of the people they supported and the best outcomes moving forward.

Where audits had identified changes and improvements were needed, there was a clear plan for achieving these.

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.

A good relationship between the service, local authority, local GP Practice and other professionals ensured cohesive working and safe care for people being supported by Newbarn Limited. It had been identified through feedback that some people did not feel involved in their relatives care. In response, a new parent and carer meeting had been implemented by the service to improve this communication.

People using the service were supported to attend relevant health appointments, care assessments and reviews. Any changes were discussed at meetings to ensure correct and consistent care was provided.

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.

Safeguarding was a priority for everyone, and the management team ensured knowledge was up to date through annual training, regularly speaking to staff about the signs of abuse and the implementation of safeguarding champions. Safeguarding concerns were reported to the local authority safeguarding team, the tenants and care manager as appropriate.

People were assumed to have capacity unless assessed as otherwise and where people lacked capacity the necessary safeguards were put in place. Where incidents occurred there was a clear process which included completing accident and incident reports, informing the local authority the social worker or 999 as appropriate, and sharing information with the staff.

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 supported to be as independent as possible and the use of keyworkers ensured as well as their health and care needs being met, they were also supported to experience new opportunities and attend a variety of activities. The service promoted choice and included people they supported in meetings and consultations. Risk assessments and support plans were detailed and contained information specific to each person’s needs, providing clear guidance for staff on how to manage risk.

The registered manager recently supported 7 people using the service to go on holiday abroad, with 3 staff members. The feedback from this was very positive, this was an opportunity which may not have otherwise been available for them.

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

Safety checks of facilities such as gas, water and electricity had been completed in line with guidance. Environmental risk assessments had been completed to ensure people’s homes were safe for both people and staff. The management team completed regular checks, to ensure safety processes were in place and up to date, including fire safety and evacuation guidance.

Where safety issues in relation to a property had been identified the necessary improvements and changes were made.

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.

The staff team included several staff who had worked for Newbarn for several years, ensuring consistency for the people they supported. Recruitment was completed safely with the relevant checks in place. There was a structured induction period followed by on going support with regular supervisions and medication competencies. Action plans were implemented when necessary and these were followed up effectively helping staff to improve with appropriate support.

The training provided was extensive and ensured that areas most relevant to the people they supported were covered, such as positive behaviours and suicide and self harm prevention skills. Training was up to date and completed online and face to face.

The registered manager was actively involved in the service, conducting regular spot checks, providing care and speaking to the people to ensure correct care was being delivered and taking appropriate action where areas of concern or development were identified.

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 accommodation provided by Newbarn consists of 3 different levels of support ranging from 24 hour supported living to supporting people in their own homes and in the community. Staff supported people to keep their accommodation clean and tidy, assisting with cleaning tasks where necessary. People were regularly supported to attend medical appointments and check-ups including annual well woman and well man checks.
 

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

People were supported to take their medication correctly and safely. There was a suitable medication policy and staff administering medication received the appropriate level of training. A practice supervision took place before staff were signed off to administer medication independently and we saw evidence of medication competencies.

Medicine administration record charts did not always contain clear guidance on the use and dosage of some medicines, such as paracetamol. However, the training staff received, as well as their knowledge of people they supported, ensured these medicines were given safely and as prescribed.

A detailed process was in place for when medication errors occurred to reduce the risk of further errors.