Mental health · Key question 1 of 50/68 answered

Safe

Are people protected from abuse and avoidable harm?

8 quality statements · each asked twice

01

Learning culture

Reg 17, 20

We have a proactive and positive culture of safety based on openness and honesty, in which concerns about safety are investigated and reported thoroughly, and lessons are learned to continually identify and embed good practices.

What happens

Take your most recent serious incident. What happened after it?

What can you evidence now

If an inspector followed one restraint or seclusion incident end to end, what would they find?

02

Safe systems, pathways and transitions

Reg 12, 17

We work with people and our partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety is managed, monitored and assured. We ensure continuity of care, including when people move between different services.

What happens

A patient returns from section 17 leave having deteriorated. What happens at the point they come back on the ward?

What can you evidence now

What handover records could you show at admission, at leave, at transfer and in the first fortnight after discharge?

03

Safeguarding

Reg 13; SI 2009/3112 reg 18

We work with people to understand what being safe means to them as well as with our partners on the best way to achieve this. We concentrate on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect.

What happens

A patient alleges a member of staff assaulted them. What happens in the first twenty-four hours?

What can you evidence now

What could you show about sexual safety incidents and unexplained injuries in the last twelve months?

04

Involving people to manage risks

Reg 9, 12

We work with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically so that care meets their needs in a way that is safe and supportive and enables them to do the things that matter to them.

What happens

How is a patient's risk understood and kept current on your ward?

What can you evidence now

What would a patient's risk record show an inspector about how it was built?

05

Safe environments

Reg 15

We detect and control potential risks in the care environment. We make sure that equipment, facilities and technology support the delivery of safe care.

What happens

Walk your ward now. Would the ligature register match what is actually there?

What can you evidence now

What could you show about ligature risk and the ward environment?

06

Safe and effective staffing

Reg 18, 19

We make sure there are enough qualified, skilled and experienced people, who receive effective support, supervision and development. They work together effectively to provide safe care that meets people’s individual needs.

What happens

On the last shift you ran below your agreed establishment, what did you actually do?

What can you evidence now

What could you show about your staffing establishment and the shifts you fell short?

07

Infection prevention and control

Reg 12, 15

We assess and manage the risk of infection. We detect and control the risk of it spreading and share any concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

What happens

A patient on the ward has an infection that would normally mean isolation. How do you handle that on a locked ward?

What can you evidence now

What infection prevention evidence could you produce for a locked environment?

08

Medicines optimisation

Reg 12; MHA 1983 Part 4

We make sure that medicines and treatments are safe and meet people’s needs, capacities and preferences by enabling them to be involved in planning, including when changes happen.

What happens

A patient's three-month period is about to expire. What happens, and who notices?

What can you evidence now

What could you show about consent to treatment certificates, urgent treatment and high-dose antipsychotic monitoring?

Sentinel — free self-assessment tool for adult social care providers in England.

Independent tool. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Care Quality Commission. The 2026 sector-specific framework is in draft and subject to change.