Sovereign Court

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. This was the first inspection for this service. This key question has been rated 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.

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Recently the registered manager had noted how the food being provided was not as nutritious as it could be. They had reviewed options with people and had introduced using the catering staff, from the adjacent sister home, to supply the main meals. People told us this change had made a positive difference.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. A relative said, “The staff came and visited [person’s name] in the other home to check they wanted to move and would like Sovereign Court. [Person’s name] said they really wanted to move here and they have been happy so far.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. 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 provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Staff had training and a good understanding of what to do to make sure people were protected from harm or abuse. The management team ensured DoLS authorisations were sought when needed and any conditions imposed by them were followed.

Staff worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. A person said, “Staff have been wonderful, and always make sure I am always safe.”

Staff detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. People were supported to be as independent as possible within the environment. The staff team knew who to contact when people might benefit from additional aids or equipment, which staff knew how to use. A person said, “We have decorated our bedrooms how we like and made them really feel homely.”

The provider 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. The provider promoted a learning culture and ensured staff had access to a wide range of training. Recruitment practices were meeting requirements. A relative said, “We come at different times and there always seems to be enough staff. They [staff] are smashing and know people well.” A person said, “There is always someone [staff] around if I need a hand or want to go out.”

Staff assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. Staff appropriately followed the required infection control guidelines.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. The staff worked closely with the GP and pharmacist to manage the medicines and ensure they were received in a timely manner. A person said, “They [staff] and the GP always make sure my medicines are right and have been great making sure my pain meds are spot on.”