CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 3-4 Priors Court Cottages
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were identified and managed safely, safeguarding systems were effective and there were enough suitable staff. Medicines were administered safely by trained staff and records showed people received them as prescribed.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care plans were detailed and involved people, families, advocates and professionals where appropriate. Staff had relevant training and supported people's health, nutrition, communication, education and independence.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Staff built close, trusting relationships and provided exceptionally compassionate care. Inspectors found creative communication methods that helped people express their views, make choices and take part in decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and adapted when people's needs changed. People were supported to take part in activities, education, work, community life and relationships that mattered to them.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had a clear management structure, an open culture and systems for monitoring quality and learning from incidents. Families, staff and professionals said managers listened, communicated well and acted on concerns.
What inspectors found, June 2019
Rated Good overall; inspectors found Outstanding caring, with safe, effective, responsive and well-led care.
The inspection took place over two days and was announced in advance to reduce anxiety for people living with autism. Inspectors spoke with all six residents, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They observed care, meals and medicines, and reviewed care records, recruitment files, training records and management systems.
The home supports up to six young adults aged 19 to 25 who have autistic spectrum disorder and may show behaviour that harms themselves or others. Inspectors found that people received safe, effective and highly individual care. Staff supported education, work, community activities, independence and communication.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good. Caring was rated Outstanding because staff built trusting relationships, communicated skilfully and supported people with exceptional compassion. The overall rating remained Good from the previous inspection in May 2016.
Exceptional compassion
Staff understood people deeply and built relationships that helped reduce anxiety and support very positive outcomes.
“Staff cared for individuals and each other in a way that exceeded expectations and demonstrated a real empathy for the people they cared for.” from the report
Communication and choice
The home used personalised communication plans, visual aids, social stories and other methods to help people express their wishes and make choices.
“The provider was exceptional at helping people to express their views.” from the report
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough suitably skilled staff, with good continuity from a stable team who knew people well.
“The registered manager completed a daily staffing analysis which ensured enough staff were deployed, with the right mix of skills to deliver care and support to meet people's needs safely.” from the report
Independence and opportunities
People were supported to develop life skills, use the community, take part in education and pursue work opportunities.
“People were effectively supported to pursue employment and education opportunities.” from the report
Strong transitions
Inspectors described planning for people moving into or out of the home as a particular strength, with visits, familiar staff and joint work with the next service.
“Without exception relatives and professionals told us the service transition planning was outstanding and a great strength.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are each person's communication methods recorded, reviewed and used by every member of staff?
- 02How many staff currently work at the home, and how do you maintain continuity for each person?
- 03How would you plan a move into or out of the home, and how would familiar staff support that transition?
- 04What progress has been made with developing end of life care plans since the inspection?
- 05How do you record incidents and use what you learn to change people's care or risk plans?
This was a planned comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the home environment. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 June 2019 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 3-4 Priors Court Cottages
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 August 2012.
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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42 live-in carers within about an hour of West Berkshire
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. 36 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“Titus has compassion, patience, a great sense of humour and a very professional attitude.”
“Barbara treated my mother-in-law with enormous love and compassion and provided an environment where she could feel safe and seen”
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.