CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 48 Heath Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found suitable risk assessments, enough staff, safe medicines systems, infection control arrangements and learning from incidents.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found an open, person-centred culture, effective checks and clear oversight of risks. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to give feedback.
What inspectors found, January 2024
Rated Good; inspectors found people were safe, supported to make choices and cared for by a well-led home.
This was an unannounced inspection on 12 December 2023. One inspector spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care plans, risk assessments, medicines records and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe was rated Good, meaning people were safe and protected from avoidable harm. Well-led was also rated Good, meaning the service was consistently managed and leaders promoted high-quality, person-centred care.
Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable risk planning and positive support for people with learning disabilities and autism. People were supported to make choices, take positive risks and maintain their independence.
The previous rating was Good, published in November 2019. The ratings for Safe and Well-led remained Good. This inspection did not give ratings for Effective, Caring or Responsive.
Positive risk-taking
People were supported to do activities that increased their independence and quality of life, including cooking and going on holiday abroad.
“People were supported to take positive risks, which increased their quality of life or independence.” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff, including for one-to-one support with activities and visits. Staff skills and interests were matched with the people they supported.
“The service had enough staff, including for one-to-one support for people to take part in activities and visits how and when they wanted.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were given by trained staff whose competence was checked regularly. Records were complete and the home followed the principles of avoiding unnecessary medicines for behaviour.
“Records to support safe administration of medicines were in place and completed in line with best practice guidance.” from the report
Strong oversight
Managers used regular audits, checks and action plans to monitor safety and improve the service. The home also welcomed challenge from other managers and quality staff.
“The provider had an effective governance system which provided clear oversight of key risk areas within the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and support the positive risks that my relative wants to take?
- 02How would you provide one-to-one support for my relative's activities, visits and community access?
- 03How would you support my relative to take medicines as independently as possible?
- 04How would you adapt the environment and daily support to my relative's autism and sensory needs?
- 05How are families involved in reviewing incidents, feedback and actions for improvement?
This inspection assessed Safe and Well-led only; the report did not give ratings for Effective, Caring or Responsive. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 January 2024 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.
What inspectors found, November 2018
48 Heath Road was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with no serious concerns.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 19 October 2018. Inspectors observed people and staff, spoke with relatives and staff, and reviewed three people's care records, medicines and quality checks.
The home supported eight younger adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable recruitment checks, safe medicines management and plans to reduce identified risks.
People received personalised support with meals, health care, communication, activities and decision-making. Staff were described as kind, and people's privacy, dignity, choices and independence were respected.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was unchanged from the previous inspection in April 2016.
Safe staffing and risk support
People had consistent staff teams and individual staffing arrangements. Risk plans covered support both in the home and when people went out.
“People were supported by consistant teams of staff. All the people had a one to one staff allocation and when required this was increased to support appointments or events.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff were trained and assessed before supporting people with medicines. Records matched the medicines checked by inspectors, including guidance for medicines taken as needed.
“We checked the medicines against the MAR and they corresponded. This showed us that people had received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff built positive relationships and supported people's dignity, privacy and independence. Families could visit at any time.
“Staff had established positive relationships with people and this ensured care was kind and compassionate.” from the report
Personalised care records
Care plans included people's care needs, preferences and communication methods. Staff updated them when people's needs changed.
“The care plans were detailed and included every aspect of the persons care needs and preferences.” from the report
Learning and improvement
The home reviewed accidents, incidents and audits, then changed practices where needed. This included improving support during health appointments and emergency evacuations.
“Accidents and incidents were reviewed and action learning plan was put in place.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's particular communication needs and keep their communication plan up to date?
- 02What staffing level would my relative have, and how would this change for appointments, activities or periods of distress?
- 03How would you support my relative with their medicines, including any medicines taken as needed?
- 04What activities and community opportunities would be available based on my relative's interests and preferences?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family if their health needs, risks or care preferences changed?
This was an unannounced inspection of the care, accommodation and all five CQC areas; inspectors also reviewed three people's records and spoke with relatives and staff. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 November 2018 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 48 Heath Road
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2024Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2011
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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62 live-in carers within about an hour of Derbyshire
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 £1,010 to £1,260 a week. 51 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Ernest is an amazing professional carer who delivers care from the heart.”
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.