CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Allswell Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, respectful and person-centred care, with effective management and no identified breaches.
This was an unannounced inspection visit on 31 January 2019. One inspector reviewed care records, medicines, recruitment and training records, and the home's quality checks. They also spoke with the manager, two staff members and one relative, and observed care because people could not communicate their views verbally.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable safeguarding and risk procedures, enough staff, safe medicines management, relevant staff training and support with food and healthcare.
People were treated with dignity and supported to make choices. Their care plans reflected their communication needs, preferences and health needs. The manager used checks, surveys and feedback to monitor and improve the service.
The home was rated Good at the previous inspection, published on 7 July 2016. This was a planned inspection based on that rating. CQC said it would continue monitoring information and could return sooner if concerns were received.
Safe medicines
Medicines were securely stored and administered as prescribed. Records were complete, and staff responsible for medicines had training and competency checks.
“MARs had been completed in full and there were no gaps in recording.” from the report
Skilled support
Staff training covered areas relevant to the people living at the home, including epilepsy, autism, dementia awareness, safeguarding, medicines and communication-related legal safeguards.
“Training records confirmed that staff had completed training that was relevant to people's needs.” from the report
Respect and choice
Staff supported people in a sensitive way and gave them time, choices and opportunities to maintain independence.
“We saw staff providing support to people in a sensitive way. They responded to people politely, allowing them time to respond and also giving them choices.” from the report
Individual activities
People were supported to take part in activities suited to their needs, including outings, cooking, games and use of a sensory room.
“People were supported to partake in activities that met their needs.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The manager carried out regular checks on medicines, health and safety, infection control, incidents and accidents, as well as unannounced spot checks.
“The registered manager recognised the importance of regularly monitoring the quality of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and support my relative's particular communication needs?
- 02How will you manage my relative's medicines, and how will you keep us informed about any changes?
- 03What activities and community opportunities would be suitable for my relative?
- 04How would you support my relative with any dietary needs or swallowing difficulties?
- 05How will relatives be involved in reviewing and commenting on their relative's support plan?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 February 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 Allswell Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 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.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 November 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Sutton
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 £1,230 a week. 81 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She cared for my mum with Alzheimer's with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude”
“Terry has been of invaluable help to our family while working as a part-time live-in carer for our mother for approximately 6 months”
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.