The Lawns

We conducted this assessment to review 4 warning notices issued in September 2024 for failing to meet the regulations concerning safe care and treatment, dignity and respect, safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment and good governance at The Lawns.

At this assessment we found the provider had made significant improvements and developed a positive and supportive culture that needed to be embedded and sustained further. Breaches in all 4 warning notices had been met. The provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.

People received safe care provided by appropriately trained staff. Staff knew how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns internally and externally. Staff told us they felt able to speak up and were confident concerns would be addressed.

Systems to assess, plan and review care were established and generally effective. People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the service. Staff worked well with healthcare professionals and other external organisations to monitor and improve people’s health. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Risk assessments and care plans contained sufficient information for staff to keep people safe. Information was available in formats that suited people’s preferences. The registered manager understood how barriers in relation to people’s care affected them and they were aware of the challenges faced by people. They told us they encouraged an open culture, and feedback from people, their relatives, staff and healthcare professionals reflected this.

Significant improvements were made to the way people’s medicines were managed and to ensure people’s involvement since our previous assessment. However, evidence still showed shortfalls and further improvements were needed. When people were prescribed high-risk medicines, appropriate risk assessments were not always in place. For example, not all people prescribed anticoagulants had a corresponding risk assessment. People’s care plans did not always include enough guidance for staff about peoples’ ‘when required’ medicines.

Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. There was a clear line management structure which staff understood. There was a registered manager in post. Governance systems were effective and identified areas for improvement. All actions from quality checks were added to the provider electronic system for monitoring. This ensured all actions were addressed in a timely way.