Care Home Safeguarding Policies

Choosing the most suitable care home for your loved one is never easy. With so many factors to consider, it can often feel like an impossible task. One thing we all want to be able to do is to rest easy knowing that the care home we’ve chosen is doing all it can to provide the highest level of care to its residents.

Safeguarding is at the top of our list of priorities here at Jackman’s Lodge, with an experienced team of staff providing constant assistance, reassurance, and companionship. You may be wondering, what is safeguarding in a care home and what does it look like for the elderly on a daily basis?

What is Safeguarding in a Care Home?

According to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) here, safeguarding is defined as the protection of people’s wellbeing, health, and human rights, allowing them to live safely without neglect, harm, or abuse.

The Care Act 2014 outlines guidance on achieving that aim, highlighting the need to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of individuals in organisations are made clear. It also claims it’s necessary to clarify the interface between safeguarding and quality of service provision.

What is the Meaning of Safeguarding in a Care Home?

Residents in care homes have the same rights as those living outside of these facilities. Within a care home setting, staff must provide safe care to all individuals residing and working in their facility. Safeguarding the elderly in care homes focuses on independence and choice, and is regulated by the CQC.

At Jackman’s Lodge, we’re aware that every person’s needs are different. Our welcoming team are passionate about promoting independence and healthy living, priding themselves on a person-centred approach. We encourage each of our elderly residents to live the life they wish to live, growing and developing throughout their time with us.

Examples of safeguarding issues in a care home include:

  • Falls
  • Ill-treatment
  • Lack of social involvement
  • Poor nutrition
  • Physical abuse
  • Pressure sores
  • Medication misuse

Care Home Safeguarding Policies

Care home safeguarding policies should set out the rights of the people in their care, any potential risks they may face, and how the care home ensures their safety and wellbeing. All policies and procedures should be submitted as part of the CQC registration process and subsequent inspections.

At Jackman’s Lodge, we are proud to have been awarded Platinum Status in the renowned Gold Standards Framework, which recognises our outstanding quality of care, our practices, and our commitment to providing our residents with the best possible life. Our team works closely with residents, families, and colleagues to ensure that we continue to develop the quality of care we provide.

Residential Care Home Policies and Procedures

Every care home should have a dedicated safeguarding lead who can be contacted should a safeguarding issue arise. Workers should also be aware of who is accountable for safeguarding within the care home and the role of the safeguarding lead.

Care homes and care providers should ensure that all staff understand how to meet safeguarding responsibilities in their day-to-day work. These facilities should also maintain and regularly audit care records and ensure they are always available.

To further ensure the safety of our residents at Jackman’s Lodge, we also have CCTV installed in all of our communal areas, a key tool in providing peace of mind to staff, residents, and their families.

We’re Still Human

One of the most common safeguarding issues raised by service users is being made to feel ‘less than human’, commonly known as dehumanisation. This can take many forms, including being deprived of one’s dignity and privacy, disrespected, deprived of control, or stripped of one’s identity. Coming to terms with getting older can be tricky for some, and care providers are there to make residents feel comfortable and respected at all times.

At Jackman’s Lodge, we believe our elderly care home should be a continuation of the life residents wished to live before entering the home. We are keen advocates of an empathetic approach, endeavouring to provide the tools needed for residents to thrive and enjoy their stay. Our hand-picked team members come from a diverse range of backgrounds, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and experiences, and are always available to provide a helping hand or a listening ear whenever our residents need us.

If you would like to learn more about the residential care home policies and procedures we currently have in place at Jackman’s Lodge, please do get in touch with a member of our team today by calling 01483 761779. We will be more than happy to assist you with any further questions you may have about safeguarding the elderly in care homes.

Life at Jackman’s Lodge

At our warm and welcoming elderly care home, we can provide suitable care options, tailored to your loved one’s needs. Our kind team will make the transition to our residential care home in Surrey as smooth as possible. We will encourage your loved one to continue living exactly how they want to. We offer activities and events, with your loved one always having their own space if they would prefer time to themselves. On top of this, our friendly staff can provide round-the-clock care and any assistance they may need at any time of the day.

If you feel like it’s the right time to consider residential care and would like to learn more about care home safeguarding policies, please do get in touch with our team today by calling 01483 761779. We will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you may have and can provide ongoing support for both you and your loved one.