Acorn Lodge - Bournemouth

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 service worked with people and healthcare professionals to understand what being safe meant to people and the best way to achieve it. 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 service shared concerns quickly and appropriately. The registered manager stated, “Some of our residents have lived here 10, 15, 20 years and we have not had any recent safeguarding concerns or complaints. Any time issues are raised, we hold a meeting with residents and staff, the feedback we get and learning we take from it is paramount for the growth and the future of the home.” Policies and procedures were available, and staff confidently explained the actions they would take following an incident to reduce the risk of harm to people. Any safeguarding concerns reported to the registered manager were reported promptly to the relevant external agencies, in line with relevant legislation. We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, whether appropriate legal authorisations were in place when needed to deprive a person of their liberty, and whether any conditions relating to those authorisations were being met. The registered manager had oversight of these applications, authorisations, and conditions. This meant people’s rights were fully respected.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by through holistic planning. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. One person told us, “It is very nice here. I can go anywhere I want and see my family. I know if I am not safe, I can tell you, CQC. We have your poster up there on the wall.” There were systems in place for staff to report concerns, incidents, and accidents directly to the registered manager using the electronic recording system in place at Acorn Lodge. This system then alerted the registered manager of any outstanding action for their consideration when reviewing the event. A health and social care professional informed us, “The registered manager has shown a very good understanding people and been very quick to share information regarding risks to inform a person-centred approach to planned clinical interventions.”

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 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. Staff comments included, “Communication is very important; the registered manager will help me, always leading by example”, “We have the right focus here, it is important residents get the chance to do things for themselves and if they need extra help, we are trained to support the bits they can’t do safely” and, “We are very happy to be here, you have enough time and enough other staff to help you. You open the door, and walk into the resident’s home, we are all family.” Staff were confident they were able to access training and seek support from written policy and procedures should they need to. The provider had effective processes in place to ensure staff had the necessary skills and competence to carry out their roles. Recruitment records showed staff were recruited safely. This included an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for adults. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

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.