CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Arbor Way
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including visitor screening, PPE, testing, hygiene and outbreak arrangements.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Arbor Way was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and thoughtful support during COVID-19.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 March 2021. It focused only on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were screened, PPE was used safely, testing was available, and the home was following shielding and social distancing rules. They were also assured that the home had suitable hygiene, cleaning and infection control arrangements.
The report describes staff adapting activities to support people's wellbeing. It also highlights easy-read information about COVID-19 and creative support for a person who was anxious about wearing PPE.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a full rating across all five questions.
Visitor safety
Visitors were checked for COVID-19 symptoms and given PPE before entering.
“When visitors arrived, they were screened for symptoms of COVID-19. This included having their temperature recorded to make sure their visit could take place safely.” from the report
Clear communication
Information about COVID-19 and its risks was provided in an easy-read format.
“Information had been shared with people in an easy read format which helped them to understand COVID-19 and the associated risks.” from the report
Activities and wellbeing
Staff adapted activities to keep people occupied and supported their wellbeing during lockdown restrictions.
“Staff had adapted social activities to keep people active and occupied during the pandemic which had a positive effect on wellbeing.” from the report
Support with PPE anxiety
Staff used a person's soft toy to make wearing a face mask feel less frightening.
“A face mask had been put onto the person's soft toy which had reduced the person's level of anxiety” from the report
Infection control arrangements
Inspectors were assured that PPE, testing, hygiene and outbreak arrangements were being managed safely.
“We were assured the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened for infection symptoms, and what PPE is provided?
- 02How do you arrange COVID-19 or other infection testing for residents and staff?
- 03How do you keep the infection prevention and control policy up to date?
- 04What activities are currently available to support residents' wellbeing?
- 05How would you support a resident who feels anxious about wearing PPE or following infection control measures?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 March 2021 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, June 2019
Arbor Way was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support across all five areas.
This was an unannounced inspection on 22 March 2019. One inspector observed care, spoke with the registered manager and two care staff, and checked care plans, medicines, incident records, staff meeting notes and quality checks.
The home supported up to five people with learning disabilities, with three people living there at the time. Inspectors found people appeared comfortable and safe, staff understood their needs, the home was clean, and medicines and risks were managed properly.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection in February 2016, so the overall rating remained unchanged.
Staff knew people well
Staff understood people's personalities, preferences and health risks. They noticed when people became anxious or upset and acted to reassure them.
“Staff were able to describe each person's personality and how each person preferred to be cared for.” from the report
Personalised support
People were supported to make choices, maintain independence and take part in activities that interested them. Care plans were updated when needs changed.
“People living with learning disabilities at Arbor Way were supported to live as ordinary a life as any citizen.” from the report
Safe and clean home
Inspectors found that risks, medicines and infection control were managed. The home was clean, tidy and free from odours and clutter.
“We saw the home was clean and tidy and the risk of infection was kept to a minimum.” from the report
Good staff support and leadership
Staff received supervision, training and opportunities to discuss concerns. The provider and home management carried out checks on the quality of care.
“Staff described their working environment as very open and staff felt supported by both the deputy manager as well as the registered manager.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and update my relative's care plan if their health, mobility or behaviour changed?
- 02What specialist training do staff have for my relative's particular health needs?
- 03How would you support my relative's preferred communication method and involve them in decisions?
- 04What activities are available that match my relative's interests and promote independence?
- 05How are medicines checked and how would you respond to an accident, incident or safeguarding concern?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering the overall service and all five CQC questions; the previous overall rating in February 2016 was also Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 June 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 Arbor Way
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 March 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Solihull
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. 78 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
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.