CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 148 Hornsey Lane
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe and staff understood how to recognise and report abuse. Risks were assessed and reviewed, recruitment checks were completed, and staffing levels were suitable to meet people's needs.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's health, nutrition and support needs were assessed and reviewed. Staff received training, supervision and support, and the home worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Staff supported people to express their views, make decisions and maintain their independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and records described people's abilities, preferences and support needs. Staff shared information about changes in people's needs, and the complaints process was explained clearly.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had a clear management structure and suitable checks on quality and risks. Leaders sought people's views and worked with families and other professionals.
What inspectors found, March 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, with refurbishment and feedback arrangements still developing.
This was the first inspection since the service registered with its current provider. It was unannounced. Inspectors visited on 1 and 6 February 2023, spoke with four people, observed care, and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff records, complaints and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from avoidable harm, staff were trained, people's health needs were supported, and care was planned around individual needs.
People were involved in decisions about their care and their views were taken seriously. The home worked with mental health and other health and social care professionals. A small number of safety concerns had been reported to the CQC, but these had been examined and resolved.
The service had changed from the previous provider to the current provider in early 2022. Under the previous provider, the last rating was Requires Improvement, published on 6 January 2022. This inspection found the newly registered service to be Good in every area.
Detailed risk planning
Inspectors found that risks linked to people's mental health, daily activities and physical needs were clearly assessed. Staff had guidance on how to reduce risks and respond if they changed.
“People using the service had person centred risk assessments. The risk assessments covered a range of safety and wellbeing needs” from the report
Trained and supported staff
Staff had induction training, refresher training, supervision and appraisals. Medicines training included checks that staff were competent to provide support safely.
“Records confirmed that staff had regular supervision with the registered manager or deputy manager.” from the report
Respect and independence
People were involved in decisions and supported to remain as independent as possible. Their privacy, dignity and confidential information were protected.
“People's privacy, dignity and independence were respected. People's care plans described how staff should support people in a way that respected their privacy and dignity” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked with community mental health services and other health and social care professionals. Inspectors were told that the change to the current provider had gone smoothly.
“The new provider had managed very well and that the transition of the service to this provider had gone smoothly.” from the report
Refurbishment was still planned
minorInspectors noted that the home needed refurbishment. Planning had started, but the work was expected later in the year and was not yet complete at the inspection.
“The provider recognised there was a need for refurbishment of the home and had commenced planning for a refurbishment later in the year.” from the report
Written surveys had not yet covered everyone
minorThe home collected verbal feedback, but written surveys had not yet been completed for everyone. Ask how people and relatives can give feedback now.
“Written surveys had not yet been carried out for everyone.” from the report
One person needed an explanation
minorOne person said they did not understand why they were weighed. Inspectors passed this to the manager for follow-up.
“A person living at the home told us, "I don't know why I am weighed." We passed this comment onto the registered manager so they could follow this up with the person.” from the report
- 01What refurbishment was planned for the home, and what work has now been completed?
- 02How do people and relatives give feedback, and have written surveys now been carried out?
- 03How do staff explain the reason for weighing or other health checks to each person?
- 04How are changes in a person's mental health or physical health needs recorded and shared with all staff?
- 05How does the home work with community mental health services when a person needs extra support?
This was an unannounced first inspection of the care home covering all five CQC questions, based on visits on 1 and 6 February 2023 and inspection activity from 12 January to 23 February 2023. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 March 2023 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 148 Hornsey Lane
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2023Goodcurrent ratingup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2022Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2021Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 February 2022.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Islington
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 74 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“The quality of life that she's given my parents has been priceless. The peace of mind she's given my sisters and I, through a very difficult time, has been invaluable.”
“The interaction she gives my mother is incredible, singing, dancing, taking her to groups, on plenty of walks which mum always loves.”
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.