Dean Wood Care Home

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

The provider had processes in place to ensure people were protected from risk of harm and abuse. Staff knew the potential risks to people and how to report concerns. The provider followed recruitment policies and procedures ensuring staff were recruited safely. There were suitable numbers of trained staff to keep people safe.

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.

Staff had a good awareness of safeguarding, and could identify the different types of abuse and knew what to do if they had any concerns about people’s safety. One member of staff told us, "I'm happy to raise any concerns, I know I would be listened to."

Information relating to safeguarding and what steps should be followed if anyone witnessed or suspected abuse was displayed around the service. Up to date and accessible policy and procedure documents were available for staff to refer to.

People said they felt safe and they had no concerns around safety. One person told us, “I'm fine, I'm not worried about anything. They're all good to me, lovely people.”

People told us they felt safe and how they could engage in positive risks. For example, one person required adapted equipment to mobilise. They told us how they would be supported take part in an activity. They said, "I'll have a dance later, they'll help me [staff] and make sure I'm alright."

Risks to people were assessed and mitigated. Care plans provided a person-centred approach to supporting people. Risk assessments provided guidance on effective risk management. This included risks to people’s personal safety, physical health and where behaviours had the potential to put a person or others at risk. Risk assessments were reviewed regularly to ensure staff had access to accurate information to keep people safe.

We observed staff carrying out safe and sensitive moving and handling procedures. People appeared safe and were encouraged to be independent.

Staff told us they were knowledgeable on how to keep people safe and that they encouraged people to take positive risks. One member of staff told us, “The care is safe, we make sure of that.”

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 deployment of staff met people’s needs and kept them safe. People were supported in a timely manner and on the whole call bells were answered within acceptable times. Staff were present in all areas of the service.

Staff told us the service had enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs. A member of staff said, “It gets busy, but there is always cover. Some staff work better than others, but we get on and support each other.”

People told us the service had enough staff to keep people safe. A relative told us, “I think there are enough staff. You don't struggle to find one.”

Staffing levels were assessed daily, or when the needs of people changed, to ensure people’s safety. We were told existing staff would be contacted to cover shifts in circumstances such as sickness and annual leave, and agency staff were used when required. We saw staffing assessments which supported this. The provider followed safe and effective recruitment practices. This included checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), requesting references from previous employers about their conduct in previous jobs and health checks. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. Records showed staff belonged to the relevant professional body. Documentation confirmed that all nurses employed had an up to date registration with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC).

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.

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