Stratfield Lodge Residential 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

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse; safeguarding processes were clear and robust. Risks to people were assessed, reviewed and managed well to ensure they remained safe. People were supported to understand and manage risk. Care plans were detailed and provided sufficient guidance to staff to keep people safe. There were sufficient and appropriately trained staff in place to support people. People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment when this is in their best interests and legally authorised under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). In care homes, and some hospitals, this is usually through MCA application procedures called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA, 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.

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.

Everyone we spoke with told us they felt safe living at Stratfield Lodge Residential Home and enjoyed living there. One person told us, “I do like living here, they are always kind.” Another person said, “I feel very safe, they care for me well. I have no complaints the staff are amazing and patient.”

Staff received safeguarding training and spoke knowledgably about different types of abuse, and how they would recognise and report any concerns. Staff understood how to ensure people’s rights were fully respected and had received training in DoLS. The registered manager showed a good understanding of DoLS which ensured any restrictions were the minimum needed to promote safety. One member of staff told us, “We have safeguarding training, I’ve completed it all and it’s updated regularly. There are different types of abuse such as, physical, verbal. If I saw abuse I would go and make sure the person is safe and report it to the registered manager.” Another member of staff said, “I know how to report abuse, I would report it to the senior on duty although I’ve not had to. I know all about the local authority safeguarding team.”

Staff interacted well with people. People sought staff out to have a chat with them and clearly liked spending time with them. Staff were kind, friendly, and respectful. Staff knew people well and knew how each person preferred their care and support to be given. Staff were attentive, ensuring people were comfortable and had everything they needed within reach, such as drinks, snacks, and mobility aids.

There were policies in place that covered safeguarding and whistleblowing. These gave staff clear guidance to follow if they needed to refer any concerns. There was a safeguarding reporting system in place that staff expressed full confidence in using. Safeguarding referrals had been made as necessary, including notifying CQC of specific events as required. All legal applications had been made in accordance with DoLS, this meant people’s rights were fully respected. The registered manager had oversight of DoLS applications, authorisations, and conditions and had implemented a tracker procedure to ensure all documentation was current.

People told us staff involved and consulted them in regard to how they received their care and support to ensure their safety. One person told us, “Some days I can shower myself, other days they help me. I can get myself up and dressed.” Another person said, “They help me with my meals, they make sure it is cut up well so I can manage it.”

Staff spoke knowledgably regarding how people preferred their care and support. The registered manager discussed a situation where a person had fallen and been unable to reach their call bell. After staff discussions they implemented a personal pendant for the person so they were able to summon help wherever they were in the home should they need it.

Staff supported people with patience and in a calm and gentle way. Staff took time to explain to people what was happening and how they were going to support them. Staff provided gentle encouragement and prompting to ensure people remained safe. People were comfortable with the staff actively seeking them out to talk to and spend time with.

Risks to people were individually assessed and regularly reviewed. Risk assessments were personalised, detailed, and gave staff clear guidance on ensuring people were supported safely, whilst still maintaining their independence. Risk assessments covered all areas of potential risk and included pressure area care, safe swallow, nutrition and hydration, use of bed rails and mobility. Emergency plans were in place to ensure people received the support they needed in the event of a fire or other emergency incident.

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

People told us there were enough staff on each shift to support them safely. One person told us, “There are enough staff. If they have staff off they have other staff to cover, they are all very patient.” Another person said, “Yes, there are enough staff. I get on well with them all. There are enough staff to help me. I have a bell to press. Someone comes to see me and check everything when I press the bell.”

Staff told us there were enough staff on duty to ensure people received their care and support in a person-centred way. The registered manager told us they had been successful with recruitment schemes and this had helped continuity of care. They told us, “Our staffing levels are stable and we have a close-knit team.” A member of staff said, “Yes, there are enough staff. If we are really busy the management team step in and help us. Training has been very good, especially for me when I was new to it.” Another member of staff told us, “Staffing levels are all OK. They are flexible to ensure there is enough cover. There are enough staff to keep people safe. There are separate night staff. The registered manager is always available.”

There was a stable staff team with some staff having worked at Stratfield Lodge Residential Home for many years, ensuring staff knew people and their needs well. Staff reacted promptly to support people when they needed it and did not appear rushed. People had easy access to call bells which they used if they needed staff to assist them. Call bells were answered quickly and effectively by staff.

Staffing rotas reflected people were cared for by safe levels of staff. Recruitment records showed staff were recruited safely. Procedures were in place to ensure the required checks were carried out on staff before they commenced their employment at Stratfield Lodge Residential Home. This included 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. Staff learning and development was in place to ensure staff were properly inducted into the home and their knowledge maintained. The registered manager and provider had oversight of training within the home.

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.