CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 1 Longmore Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and assessed risks, with enough staff available. Medicines were stored and given safely, but inspectors recommended reviewing fridge food storage practices.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had the knowledge and skills to support people, and people's health, food and decision-making needs were addressed. Inspectors recommended updating ongoing staff training in line with current best practice.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind, respectful and familiar with people's needs and preferences. People were supported with privacy, dignity, independence and contact with important people.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and reviewed when people's needs changed. People had individual activities, community links, holidays and support to raise concerns.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had a registered manager, regular audits and action plans. People, relatives, staff and community professionals described the leadership and atmosphere positively.
What inspectors found, October 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with recommendations about food storage and staff training.
This was an unannounced inspection on 18 and 19 September 2017. One inspector spoke with everyone living in the home, staff, relatives and community professionals. The inspector also observed care and activities and checked care plans, medicines, recruitment, training and management records.
The home supported six people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder, although it could support up to seven people. Inspectors found caring staff, enough staff, safe medicines, personalised care and good support for people's health, choices, independence, relationships and activities.
The home remained Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors recommended reviewing fridge food storage and bringing ongoing staff training in line with current best practice. These were recommendations, not reported breaches of regulations.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw caring and respectful interactions. Staff knew people well and supported their dignity, privacy and independence.
“People's wellbeing was protected and all interactions observed between staff and people living at the service were caring, friendly and respectful.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's preferences, needs and cultural identities. People helped shape their care and were supported to maintain relationships and take part in activities.
“People received support that was individualised to their personal preferences, needs and cultural identities.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
There were enough staff, recruitment checks were in place and medicines were handled by trained staff who had been assessed as competent.
“Medicines administration records were up to date and had been completed by the staff administering the medicines.” from the report
Good health support
People had health action plans, annual GP checks and referrals to other professionals when needed.
“People received effective health care support from their GP and via GP referrals for other professional services, such as speech and language therapists and dietitians.” from the report
Regular oversight
The home used monthly and three-monthly audits, surveys and action plans to monitor the service and identify improvements.
“There was an effective audit system in place that included monthly audits of different aspects of the running of the home including care plans, premises and other documentation.” from the report
Fridge food storage
minorThe fridge temperature recorded by the provider was set at a level inspectors said was higher than current best practice guidance. They recommended reviewing the food storage arrangements.
“We recommend that the provider review their food storage practices in line with current best practice guidelines for care homes.” from the report
Ongoing staff training
needs fixingSome ongoing training did not match current best practice. For example, first aid was refreshed every three years rather than annually, and some recommended subjects were not included.
“We recommend that the provider bring the staff training provision in line with the current best practice guidance on ongoing training for social care staff.” from the report
- 01What fridge temperature do you use now, and how do you record and act on readings?
- 02How often is first aid training refreshed now?
- 03Which additional staff training subjects have been added since the inspection?
- 04How are people's care plans reviewed when their needs, preferences or independence change?
- 05How can relatives take part in care plan reviews and raise concerns?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and the overall quality and safety of the home. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 October 2017 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of 1 Longmore Road
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2017Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 December 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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78 live-in carers within about an hour of Wokingham
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 71 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.