CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ambleside Lodge - London
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, risk plans were reviewed and staffing levels were sufficient. Medicine records were complete, with no errors or omissions found.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff received ongoing training and supervision. People were supported with food, drink, consent, healthcare appointments and mental health services.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described as kind, friendly and respectful. People were supported to maintain privacy, dignity, independence and control over their decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans recorded people's needs, preferences and goals and were regularly reviewed. People were supported with activities, community access and raising concerns.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People and staff spoke positively about the management. The home carried out audits, acted on identified issues and sought feedback from people and healthcare professionals.
What inspectors found, October 2017
Ambleside Lodge - London was rated Good, with inspectors finding safe, caring and personalised support.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 3 October 2017. The inspector spoke with one person, two staff members, the business manager and the registered manager. They reviewed care plans, staff files, medicine records and other service records, and contacted a healthcare professional afterwards.
The home supported six people at the inspection and could care for up to seven people with a mental health condition. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were suitable and staff had appropriate training.
People were treated with respect and encouraged to make choices, stay independent and take part in activities. Care plans were personalised, complaints systems were in place, and regular checks were used to improve the service.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found the service met the expected standards at the time of this inspection.
Safe medicines
Inspectors found that medicines were recorded and given safely. They found no errors or omissions in the three medicine records reviewed.
“We reviewed three people's medicine administration records (MAR) and found these were completed correctly with no errors or omissions.” from the report
Respect and kindness
Staff developed positive relationships with people and supported their dignity, privacy and cultural needs.
“People received support from staff that were described as 'caring', 'friendly' and 'a good laugh.'” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's history, preferences, health needs and goals. People were involved in shaping their care where possible.
“Care plans were comprehensive and detailed people's history, likes and dislikes, health and mental health needs and people's goals.” from the report
Positive management
People and staff spoke positively about the management. Regular audits and feedback were used to identify and act on improvements.
“The service carried out regular audits of the service to drive improvement.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are people's risk management plans reviewed now, especially when their mental health or support needs change?
- 02How do you support people who want to take more responsibility for their own medicines?
- 03What activities, community access and daily living skills support are currently available?
- 04How are people involved in reviewing their care plans and setting future goals?
- 05How are complaints and concerns raised in one-to-one meetings recorded and followed up?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, and all five ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 October 2017 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 Ambleside Lodge - London
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2017Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 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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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Lambeth
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. 76 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”
“She is just one of those people that looks around, sees what needs to be done and does it.”
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.