CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 481 Ipswich Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective systems for managing abuse, risks, medicines and infection. There were enough suitable staff, with staffing adjusted to people's daily needs and activities.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had detailed assessments, health plans and support with healthcare, food and decision-making. Inspectors noted challenges in accessing community dental care and that formal recorded staff supervision was infrequent.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were observed treating people with warmth, kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to make choices about daily activities, food, outings and where they went.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and planned around people's needs, preferences, communication methods and interests. Families and professionals were involved, and activities included education and time in the community.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had clear values, effective quality checks and open working relationships with families and professionals. Managers reviewed incidents and behaviour information to learn lessons and improve support.
What inspectors found, May 2023
481 Ipswich Road is rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with some improvements needed in dental access and staff supervision.
This was the first inspection of this newly registered home. It supports up to five people with a learning disability or autistic people. All five areas inspected were rated Good.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 19 April 2023. One inspector observed how staff supported people, checked care and management records, spoke with three relatives and received feedback from five professionals. Because people could not verbally speak with the inspector, their experiences were judged mainly through observation and records.
Inspectors found that people appeared comfortable, safe and relaxed. Staff supported choice, independence, communication, community activities and personalised care. Medicines, staffing, risk management, infection control and leadership were all found to be good.
The report also noted challenges in accessing community dental care. Formal recorded supervision for staff was infrequent, although managers recognised this and said they would address it. The Good ratings mean the service was meeting the expected standards and people's outcomes were consistently good.
People appeared comfortable and safe
Inspectors saw people approaching and interacting with staff confidently. Relatives were also positive about the care.
“It was evident from interactions observed that people were confident and relaxed in approaching and interacting with staff and they felt comfortable and safe in their environment.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make everyday choices and take part in activities they wanted, including community trips and travel.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and were enabled to live fully integrated lives within the community.” from the report
Kind and personalised care
Staff understood people's individual needs and provided care with warmth, kindness and compassion.
“People received kind and compassionate care from staff who understood their individual and specific needs.” from the report
Communication support
Staff used people's preferred communication methods, including pictures, symbols, Makaton, gestures and body language.
“Staff knew people's individual communication skills, abilities and individual preferred methods.” from the report
Learning and leadership
Managers reviewed incidents, worked with professionals and used quality checks to improve the service.
“There were good quality assurance systems in place that ensured the quality and safety of the service delivered, and used to drive improvement.” from the report
Access to community dental care
needs fixingThe home was experiencing difficulty obtaining community dental health care for people. Families should ask what has happened since the inspection.
“The service was experiencing challenges in accessing community dental health care for people.” from the report
Infrequent staff supervision
needs fixingFormal and recorded supervision meetings were not happening often enough. Managers recognised the issue and said protected time would be provided.
“However, formal and recorded supervisions were infrequent and management acknowledged this.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made in arranging community dental care for each person?
- 02How often do staff now receive formal, recorded supervision meetings?
- 03How are people's communication methods, including pictures, symbols or Makaton, recorded and kept up to date?
- 04How are incidents and behaviour patterns reviewed, and what changes have been made as a result?
- 05How are staffing levels adjusted when people want to go out, attend appointments or take part in activities?
This was the first comprehensive inspection of the newly registered home and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 May 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 481 Ipswich Road
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- May 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 March 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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.