Askham Hall

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

There was evidence of learning from incidents and accidents. Staff were able to tell us how to keep people safe from harm and abuse. Staff had received relevant training in relation to their roles. We observed there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. There were safe practices in relation to safe and effective staffing and robust recruitment processes.

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.

People told us they felt safe at Askham Hall. One person said, "I feel really safe here. The staff are always here and can help you if you need it."

Staff were aware of how to respond to accidents and incidents which included how to record and report incidents. Staff said there was a proactive culture of safety, in which concerns about safety were listened to and acted upon.  

There was a process in place to monitor incidents, accidents and near missed. Staff recognised incidents and reported them appropriately and manager investigated incidents and shared lessons learned. Senior staff maintained a record of accidents and incidents and reviewed regularly to look at patterns and trends.

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.

People and their relatives told us the service was safe. One person said, “I don’t have any concerns, but I would speak to the staff if I was worried."

Staff were aware of the provider’s safeguarding policy and could identify signs of possible abuse and neglect. They confirmed they had received safeguarding training and knew how to report such concerns. Staff told us they would give people time to talk and recognise if there were any changes in their behaviour that they felt might need to be reported due to safeguarding concerns.

Information about safeguarding people was visible around the service. We observed staff speaking to people in a respectful manner and including them in decisions. We saw staff mostly responded promptly when people were feeling anxious or needed support.

Staff received training and had access to relevant information and guidance about protecting people from harm. Staff understood what was meant by abuse and were confident reporting safeguarding concerns. Records showed incidents were investigated and referred to the local authority safeguarding team appropriately.

We did not look at Involving people to manage risks during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

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 staff were respectful and caring in their approach and they were usually available when they needed help or support. People told us they sometimes had to wait for assistance from staff but that it had not had any negative impact on them. Some people told us they would like a call bell in the lounge area so that they could call staff if needed for them or someone else.

Staff told us they received a thorough and in-depth induction prior to working alone with people. They completed a range of training to give them the skills and knowledge to support people, this included completing qualifications in health and social care. One staff member said, “[The manager] is so brilliant, she listens to what you are saying. We can ask questions multiple times and double checks things."

We observed relaxed and respectful interactions with staff. The home felt calm and relaxed. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs when they required staff company or support. Staff were visible and available in communal areas for the majority of the time, however there were some missed opportunities for staff to interact with people when they entered the room.

Safe recruitment processes were used in line with the provider's recruitment policy to ensure staff employed were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Records showed that staff received training relevant to their role. Staff received the support they needed to deliver safe care. This included supervision, appraisal and support to develop. Effective systems were in place to ensure safe staffing levels were maintained.

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.