Early Indicators of Harm Learning Disability Services – Examples from the research 1. Concerns about management and 2. Concerns about staff skills, knowledge 3. Concerns about residents wellbeing and practice and behaviours leadership Staff appear to lack knowledge of the needs of the people they are supporting Residents behaviours change perhaps The manager or make – can’t won’t for example, behaviours. putting themselves or others at risk. decisions or take responsibility for the Members of staff appear to lack skills in Residents communications and service. communicating with individuals and interactions change increasing or – The manager ensure that staff doesn’t interpreting their interactions. stopping for example. are doing their job properly. Members of staff use judgemental. Residents needs appear to change. The manager is often not available language about the people they support. Residents skills change self care or – There is a high turnover of staff or staff Members of staff are controlling and continence management for example shortage. offer few choices. Residents behave very differently with The manager does not inform Social Communication across the staff team is different staff or in different environments Services that they are unable to meet the poor. (for example day centre). needs of specific service user. Abuse behaviours between residents are not acknowledged or addressed. 4. Concerns about the service resisting 5. Concerns about the way the services 6. Concerns about the quality of basic the involvement of external people and are planned and delivered care isolating individuals and the environment There is little input from Residents needs are not being met as agreed and identified in care plans. outsiders/professionals. There is a lack of care of personal Agreed staffing levels are not being Individuals have little contact with family Possessions. provided. or other people who are not staff. Support for residents to maintain personal Staff do not carry out actions Appointments are repeatedly cancelled. hygiene is poor. recommended by external professionals. Members of staff do not maintain links Essential records are not kept effectively. The service is but no better between individuals and people outside of ‘unsuitable’ The environment is dirty/smelly. option is available. the service for example, family, friends. There are few activities or things to do The residents group appears to be Management and/or staff demonstrate Residents dignity is not being promoted incompatible. hostile or negative attitudes to visitors, and supported The diversity of support needs of the question and criticisms. It is difficult to meet residents privately. group is significant.
Early Indicators of Harm – Learning Disability Services Examples from the research 1. Concerns about management and leadership The manager can’t or won’t make decisions or take responsibility for the service. The manager doesn’t ensure that staff are doing their job properly. The manager is often not available There is a high turnover of staff or staff shortage. The manager does not inform Social Services that they are unable to meet the needs of specific service user. 2. Concerns about staff skills, knowledge and practice Staff appear to lack knowledge of the needs of the people they are supporting for example, behaviours. Members of staff appear to lack skills in communicating with individuals and interpreting their interactions. Members of staff use judgemental. language about the people they support. Members of staff are controlling and offer few choices. Communication across the staff team is poor. Abuse behaviours between residents are not acknowledged or addressed. 3. Concerns about residents wellbeing and behaviours Residents behaviours change – perhaps putting themselves or others at risk. Residents communications and interactions change – increasing or stopping for example. Residents needs appear to change. Residents skills change – self care or continence management for example Residents behave very differently with different staff or in different environments (for example day centre). 4. Concerns about the service resisting the involvement of external people and isolating individuals There is little input from outsiders/professionals. Individuals have little contact with family or other people who are not staff. Appointments are repeatedly cancelled. Members of staff do not maintain links between individuals and people outside of the service for example, family, friends. Management and/or staff demonstrate hostile or negative attitudes to visitors, question and criticisms. It is difficult to meet residents privately. 5. Concerns about the way the services are planned and delivered Residents needs are not being met as agreed and identified in care plans. Agreed staffing levels are not being provided. Staff do not carry out actions recommended by external professionals. The service is ‘unsuitable’ but no better option is available. The residents group appears to be incompatible. The diversity of support needs of the group is significant. 6. Concerns about the quality of basic care and the environment There is a lack of care of personal Possessions. Support for residents to maintain personal hygiene is poor. Essential records are not kept effectively. The environment is dirty/smelly. There are few activities or things to do Residents dignity is not being promoted and supported