Cross Keys

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 comfortable in the service and relatives told us they were safe. Risks were appropriately mitigated and people were protected from abuse. Staffing levels were safe and immediate action had been taken to address risks associated with staff sickness on the day of the site visit. Staff had been recruited safely and had the skills necessary to meet people's needs. The environment of the service was safe and well maintained.

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.

There were effective systems, processes and practices to ensure people were safe from risk of harm and abuse. The service operated in accordance with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and where people lacked the capacity to make specific decisions these were consistently made in the person best interests. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications had been made to the local authority where restrictions were necessary to ensure the safety of people who lacked capacity to make decisions for themselves.

People appeared to be relaxed with staff. People were smiling and approached staff for support without hesitation. Relatives comments included, “[My relative] is well looked after and the staff are very nice” and “They look after my relative well”.

The manager had a good understanding of local safeguarding procedure and staff were confident any safety concerns identified would be promptly resolved.

There were effective systems in place to ensure people were safely supported, for example with their medicines and finances.

Staff knew the risks to people well and told us they were kept up to date if there had been any changes to risk assessments. Records showed restrictive practices were used infrequently and for the minimum time possible.

Risks had been identified and effectively mitigated.

Staff knew people well and understood how to support people to do things for themselves.

The service was well maintained and all necessary checks of fire safety equipment and utilities had been completed.

The service was clean and well maintained. People were involved in the decor of their home. For example, in addition to traditional festive decorations, windows and doors had been temporarily painted with Christmas characters people liked.

Staff responded promptly to people's needs. People were able to access the community when they wished.

Rotas showed the service was well staff and that planned staffing levels were routinely achieved. All necessary pre-employment checks had been completed to ensure staff were suitable for employment in the care sector. Staff received training and support designed to ensure they had the skills necessary to meet people’s needs.

People were comfortable and relaxed with their staff, who they approached for guidance or support without hesitation. Relatives were complimentary of the staff team and told us, “The Staff are really good”, “They are very good and extremely caring” and “I think the staff are pretty good, they help [my relative] enormously”. On the morning of the inspection 2 staff had unexpectedly called in sick prior to their shift start times. The service’s leadership had responded immediately to this situation and arrangements made with off-duty staff to provide necessary levels of staff cover to ensure people’s safety.

Staff and the registered manager reported that the service was normally well staffed. Their comments in relation to staff levels on the day of the site visit were, “This does not happen a lot. Usually everyone is quite fit and healthy but it's a seasonal thing at the moment”, “There are always enough staff here so people can go out” and” I got a call [this morning] because someone went sick. It doesn't happen a lot”.

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.