Enter and view: Athenaeum Care Home (Safeguarding)

Healthwatch Barnet carried out an announced Enter and View safeguarding inspection of Athenaeum Residential Care Home in Whetstone on 21 May 2019. The home accommodates up to 21 older people and had 20 residents at the time of the visit, around 80% of whom were living with dementia. The inspection focused on safeguarding practices and included discussions with the interim manager, staff, residents and relatives. 

The inspectors found that safeguarding procedures were well established. New residents undergo comprehensive assessments, care plans are reviewed monthly, staff receive mandatory safeguarding training, and there are clear processes for reporting concerns to relevant authorities, including social services, the police and safeguarding teams. Fourteen residents were subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), with three additional applications awaiting approval. 

Staffing levels appeared appropriate, with six to seven staff on duty during the day and two waking night staff. Staff turnover was low, recruitment procedures included DBS checks and induction training, and the manager reported ongoing support and regular refresher training. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and expressed confidence in reporting concerns. 

The home sought to meet residents’ cultural, religious and communication needs through personalised care plans, interpretation support where necessary, and cultural events celebrating residents’ backgrounds. Residents’ finances were managed through a monitored petty cash system, with records and receipts maintained for accountability. 

Although the home described a range of activities, including music sessions, church visits, animal therapy and themed cultural events, the Healthwatch team observed limited activity taking place during the visit. Some residents and relatives nevertheless reported satisfaction with the activities available and with opportunities to access the garden and community. 

The manager reported that six safeguarding concerns had been raised with the local authority during the previous two years and none had been upheld against the home. Staff explained how they managed challenging behaviours, resident disagreements and complaints appropriately, and residents generally described staff as caring, friendly and supportive. Comments from residents included praise such as “everyone is very friendly” and “they are all angels.” 

Overall, Healthwatch found no significant safeguarding concerns and received largely positive feedback from residents, staff and relatives. However, it made four recommendations: to provide more specialised dementia and Alzheimer’s training; to review and strengthen the activities programme; to establish regular meetings with relatives; and to ensure there were no trip hazards in the garden area. 

In response, Athenaeum Care Home stated that it already accessed dementia training and specialist resources, had recently appointed an activities coordinator to expand the programme, planned regular resident and relative meetings alongside improved family engagement, and confirmed that the garden hose observed during the visit was only present because maintenance work was being carried out, with steps taken to minimise fall risks throughout the garden.