Farway Grange Care Home (Nursing)

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 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. People were supported by a culture of openness and transparency at Farway Grange. Staff recognised the importance of promptly and accurately reporting incidents and accidents. They felt confident raising concerns, knowing the registered manager had effective systems to review incidents and take action to reduce risks. All accidents, incidents and significant events had been logged through the provider’s electronic governance system. The registered manager was notified of each occurrence and carried out regular audits to identify any patterns or learning opportunities. Safety-related events were thoroughly investigated by the registered manager and used to inform improvements in service delivery. Staff described a positive and supportive working environment where ongoing training, supervision, and reflective practice were encouraged. They felt valued by leadership and were motivated to contribute ideas for service enhancement. Feedback from partner organisations confirmed that the service maintained strong lines of communication and worked effectively with external professionals. Partners praised the responsiveness of the service and its focus on continuous improvement, which supported positive outcomes for people. Relatives also reported being kept informed about significant updates or incidents. A relative told us, “They always ring me. I have confidence in how my loved one is being looked after.” The provider fostered a culture that prioritised learning and improvement, underpinned by openness and transparency. The registered manager and provider both demonstrated a willingness to learn from experience. They shared examples of recent learning, including a review of recruitment processes to strengthen values-based hiring.

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 told us they felt reassured that their needs would be met and that key information would be shared appropriately to ensure continuity of care. Staff confirmed they had access to the necessary information when working with external professionals, including during hospital admissions or transfers to other care settings. When a person moved to hospital or transitioned to a new care service, a summary sheet accompanied them. This supported safe handovers and helped ensure continuity in their care. Feedback from staff and service leaders indicated that there were effective communication processes to manage transitions safely and consistently. Staff described the systems as clear and reliable. Partner organisations also reported that the service had taken a proactive and collaborative approach. They highlighted the team's responsiveness and willingness to share information in a timely manner to help meet people’s changing needs.

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. People reported feeling safe, content, and well cared for at the service. One person told us, “I am happy here, I feel safe.” During the inspection, we observed staff working in a safe and coordinated manner. Staff demonstrated a strong understanding of safeguarding principles and were confident in recognising and responding to signs of potential harm or abuse. They clearly described how they would escalate concerns both internally and to external agencies if necessary. Staff told us they trusted the registered manager to respond promptly and appropriately to any concerns raised. All staff had completed safeguarding training, with regular updates, and were knowledgeable about their responsibilities in protecting people's rights and well-being. The registered manager maintained a detailed safeguarding log, which documented each concern raised and the actions taken in response. Records confirmed that safeguarding referrals had been made to the local authority, and statutory notifications had been submitted to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in line with legal requirements. Where people were deprived of their liberty for care or treatment purposes, legal authorisations had been sought through the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager-maintained oversight of all applications, authorisations, and associated conditions using a tracking system, ensuring that all documentation remained accurate and up to date.

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.People had been actively involved in managing risks related to their health, safety, and well-being. This was done in a way that supported their independence and honoured their individual choices and preferences. There were risk assessments for all aspects of people's care and support. These assessments were personalised, detailed, and regularly reviewed. The provider used an electronic care planning system that enabled real-time updates. This ensured that staff had immediate access to the most current information regarding peoples identified risks. Staff told us they were committed to supporting people safely, and this was reflected in the level of detail and individualisation present in each assessment. During our inspection, we observed staff supporting people to eat and drink in a respectful and attentive manner, consistent with the guidance set out in their risk assessments. General risk assessments had also been completed to ensure safety within communal areas of the service. Staff demonstrated an understanding of both individual and environmental risks and showed dedication to maintaining people’s safety while promoting their autonomy.

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. People were supported by a culture of openness and transparency at Farway Grange. Staff recognised the importance of promptly and accurately reporting incidents and accidents. They felt confident raising concerns, knowing the registered manager had effective systems to review incidents and take action to reduce risks. All accidents, incidents and significant events had been logged through the provider’s electronic governance system. The registered manager was notified of each occurrence and carried out regular audits to identify any patterns or learning opportunities. Safety-related events were thoroughly investigated by the registered manager and used to inform improvements in service delivery. Staff described a positive and supportive working environment where ongoing training, supervision, and reflective practice were encouraged. They felt valued by leadership and were motivated to contribute ideas for service enhancement. Feedback from partner organisations confirmed that the service maintained strong lines of communication and worked effectively with external professionals. Partners praised the responsiveness of the service and its focus on continuous improvement, which supported positive outcomes for people. Relatives also reported being kept informed about significant updates or incidents. A relative told us, “They always ring me. I have confidence in how my loved one is being looked after.” The provider fostered a culture that prioritised learning and improvement, underpinned by openness and transparency. The registered manager and provider both demonstrated a willingness to learn from experience. They shared examples of recent learning, including a review of recruitment processes to strengthen values-based hiring.

The service 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. Recruitment procedures had been well established to ensure that all necessary background checks were completed before staff began their employment. This included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for working with adults. These checks provided employers with essential information, such as previous convictions or cautions, to support safe recruitment decisions. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs in a timely and safe manner. People and their relatives confirmed that staff were present when required and provided consistent support. One person told us, “Staff are very nice. They are 100%.” We observed warm, genuine interactions between staff and people throughout the day. Staff knew people well, and this familiarity contributed to a relaxed, positive atmosphere. People were alert, engaged, and appeared comfortable in the presence of staff. Staff training was relevant to their roles and delivered on an ongoing basis. This was supported by regular supervision and appraisal to ensure they had the skills and confidence to deliver safe and effective care. Staff told us they received sufficient training and felt well-equipped to carry out their duties. The registered manager maintained clear oversight of staff training and development through a tracking system, ensuring compliance and timely updates across the team.

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. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control, ensuring they remained informed and capable of implementing current best practices. A dedicated housekeeping team-maintained cleanliness across the service, working to structured cleaning schedules. The environment appeared clean and well maintained. People had access to an outdoor garden space with seating and a fishpond, which was appreciated by those living at the home and their visitors. We observed staff wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and adhering to infection control procedures throughout the day. These measures were embedded in daily routines and contributed to a safe and hygienic living environment. Infection control audits had been conducted regularly and aligned with recognised good practice guidelines. These audits supported the service in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring compliance with national standards.

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 safely and in accordance with prescribed instructions. We observed the service had effective systems for ordering, storing, and disposing of medicines, including those requiring refrigeration or secure storage. Medication requiring cold storage had regular temperature checks carried out to ensure it remained within safe and effective limits. Registered nurses were responsible for administering medicines. Staff told us they had completed training and were subject to regular competency assessments to ensure medicines were administered safely and correctly. The service conducted routine medication audits to maintain safe practices. Any medication-related incidents were documented, investigated thoroughly, and used as learning opportunities to prevent similar events in future.