CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Acorn Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe and risks to their safety were assessed and regularly reviewed. Medicines, recruitment and infection control were managed safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and reviewed when people's needs changed. Staff supported communication, activities, relationships and people's dietary requirements.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The provider had close oversight of the home and used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor care. People, relatives and staff were involved and spoke positively about the service.
What inspectors found, February 2024
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, personalised care and strong day-to-day oversight, but this was a focused inspection.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 18 October 2023. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, staff and relatives. They reviewed care plans, risk assessments, recruitment files, training records, audits and the environment.
The home was rated Good overall. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm, received medicines safely, and had risks assessed and reviewed. Staff used suitable infection control measures and followed safe recruitment processes.
People received care that reflected their needs and preferences. Staff supported communication, activities, relationships and dietary needs. Inspectors also found kind care and close involvement from the provider, with regular checks on the quality of the service.
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Responsive and Well-led. These three areas were rated Good. Effective and Caring were not inspected during this visit, so their previous ratings were carried forward when calculating the overall rating.
People felt safe
The home had safeguarding processes, detailed risk assessments and checks on the environment and equipment. Staff had training and knew how to report possible abuse.
“People felt safe. There were processes in place to safeguard people from abuse.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans were based on people's needs and preferences and were updated when circumstances changed. Staff also worked with health and social care professionals.
“People received personalised care and support that was individual to their needs and preferences.” from the report
Kind and inclusive care
People and relatives praised the caring approach. Inspectors found that privacy, dignity, independence and involvement in care were respected.
“People and relatives praised the caring and inclusive nature of the service.” from the report
Close leadership
The provider was regularly present, knew people's needs and maintained close relationships with people and relatives. Quality checks, staff meetings and feedback systems were in place.
“The manager had a very good understanding of people's needs and maintained a good oversight of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and review my relative's individual risks and care needs?
- 02How will you support my relative's communication needs, including any dementia, sensory or language needs?
- 03How will you make sure medicines are given safely and records remain accurate?
- 04What activities and support for relationships would be available for my relative?
- 05What recent feedback, audits or care-plan reviews show how the home is improving care?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Responsive and Well-led only; Effective and Caring were not inspected and their previous ratings were carried forward when calculating the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 February 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, February 2018
Acorn Care Home is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 18 December 2017. One inspector spoke with four people using the home, two relatives, two staff members and the registered manager. The inspector also checked care plans, recruitment and training records, quality checks and the home itself.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough suitably recruited staff, safe medicines practice, regular risk checks and good support from health professionals.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Their care plans reflected their individual needs, preferences, cultural needs and end of life wishes. Activities and meals were adapted to people's interests and needs.
The home was rated Good at the previous inspection in July 2015, and the report says this rating continued. The report did not record any breached regulations or enforcement action.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, with consistent staffing. Medicines were given by trained and competent staff and checked through regular audits.
“People received their medicines as prescribed from trained and competent staff.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's communication, personal care, mobility, nutrition and end of life wishes. Staff knew people's routines, likes and dislikes.
“We found the care plans were individualised and informative.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff spent time talking with people and supported their privacy, dignity, choices and independence. Relatives also said they felt welcome when visiting.
“People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff told us people's privacy and dignity needs were understood and always respected.” from the report
Food and health support
The home provided freshly prepared food and catered for special diets, allergies and preferences. People could see health professionals when needed.
“People were supported to maintain a healthy balanced diet and to eat well.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The manager and staff used audits covering medicines, care records, infection control, equipment, the environment and fire safety. Feedback was also gathered from people and relatives.
“The registered manager and other members of staff completed a program of audits to ensure people's safety and welfare.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure my relative's care plan reflects their current needs, preferences and end of life wishes?
- 02How many staff are normally available on each shift, and how do you cover sickness, absence and leave?
- 03How are medicines checked, and how will you tell us if there is a change or problem with medicines?
- 04How would you support my relative's dietary needs, allergies, cultural preferences and favourite foods?
- 05What activities and visiting arrangements would be available to support my relative's interests and relationships?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions and the home environment; all five ratings were Good and continued from July 2015. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 February 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 Acorn Care Home
3 rated inspections over 9 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2024Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 January 2011.
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 Redbridge
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 £1,250 a week. 75 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Sidonia is a first class live-in carer whose dedication and thoughtfulness made her stay a happy experience.”
“Charity would take Nan on holidays day trips and shopping adventures”
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.