Allonsfield House

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.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for 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. People told us they felt safe and knew who to speak with if they had any concerns. One person said about the staff, “They are well trained, and I feel safe in their hands. Any problems I would tell [registered manager].” Relatives told us they felt their family members were safe and they knew they could speak with seniors in charge or management if they had any concerns. One relative shared, “Staff are attentive and do everything they can to make sure [family member] is safe and happy. When we have had any questions or niggles, we have been able to speak to staff or the manager and they have addressed it straight away.” We observed kind and respectful interactions between staff and people. Staff understood how to keep people safe and the procedures to follow if they suspected abuse or harm. A member of care staff told us, “If I thought a resident was at risk, I was concerned, I would report it straight away to my senior or the manager. [Registered manager] doesn’t stand for any nonsense; residents come first.” Staff had regular team meetings and supervision sessions which included discussions around safeguarding. The service had a Safeguarding and Whistleblowing policy in place which staff were familiar with. Safeguarding concerns were logged, investigated, reported to relevant stakeholders where applicable and reflected actions and outcomes once concluded.

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. We observed staff following safe practices. They were attentive and responsive to people’s individual needs. People told us they felt comfortable and secure living at the service and were involved in managing their care risks where possible. One person said, “I have an [alarm] pendant I use if I need help, I press it and the staff come to take me to the toilet or whatever I need. I have had some falls where I lost my balance unexpectedly, so this is to keep me safe.” A relative shared with us the mitigating actions in place to support their family member who was at risk of falls and living with dementia. This included a referral to the falls prevention team and use of specialist equipment such as a pressure mat in their bedroom to alert staff of movement. The relative explained that staff had, “Lowered [family member’s] bed to prevent falls, and carried out regular welfare checks.” Staff understood the risks to people and said they were kept up to date with changes in people’s needs, through daily handovers and meetings with the management team. Care records provided information on people’s individual needs and preferences which enabled staff to provide care safely. Staff identified, monitored and responded to risks to support people to live their lives in the way they wanted. Risks to people’s health, safety and welfare were managed through assessments that were person- centred, regularly reviewed and involved the person when able, relatives or advocates in decision making. Where referrals had been made, any advice or recommendations given, for example using specialist equipment were recorded and incorporated into the individual’s ongoing care arrangements.

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

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. People and relatives said there was enough staff to meet their needs and requests for assistance were responded to in a timely manner. One person said, “I cannot find fault the waiting time is acceptable.” Another person told us, “The staff are a very good group of people, they are friendly and helpful, always very prompt.” A relative commented about staff visibility, “There is always somebody about if you need assistance and the staff come quickly if the call bell is pressed.” Another relative said about the staffing arrangements, “Carers are kind, take time with people. The manager is on the floor. I have seen them helping the carers during the busier times or if something unexpected crops up.” Staff were recruited safely, received training, supervision and positive support from management to assist them in their professional development. New starters received an induction to prepare them for their role and feedback about this was positive. One staff member staff said, “The training provided is relevant to the job, mix of practical and online. I was assigned an experienced member of staff as a mentor who I could go to if I had questions or needed support, plus there is usually a senior or nurse on shift and management around if needed.” The majority of staff fed back that there was enough staff on shift and reliance on agency staff was decreasing. One member of staff said, “[Registered manager] has made changes to how shifts are run, increased staff at busier times, less agency, handovers with better communication at the start of the shift so we all know our roles and responsibilities.” We observed that staff were visible in the service, responding to people’s needs promptly, efficiently and adapted their approach to meet individual’s needs.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

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. One person told us, “The carers bring me my tablets everyday just as the doctor ordered. They always ask if I am okay or if I have any discomfort and if so they will bring me pain relief tablets.” Staff were aware of how people needed to be supported with their medicine including those who had time specific medicines which was prioritised. We observed staff practice and this followed safe practices laid out in national guidance. Staff explained people’s medicines to them, saying what they were for and ensuring a drink was to hand to assist with swallowing. Staff received medicines training, both theory and practical together with ongoing checks on their competencies to ensure safe practices. Medicines were regularly audited by the registered manager and provider to ensure practices were as safe as possible. Records showed that high risk medicines were given at appropriate times, courses of antibiotics were administered as the prescriber intended and staff liaised with the mental health team to explore non-pharmacological interventions alongside medication when managing anxiety.