CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Argyll House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home used suitable infection prevention measures, including cleaning, protective equipment, testing and plans for managing possible infections.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, November 2020
Argyll House was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection control measures were keeping people safe.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 7 October 2020. It looked only at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. Five people lived in the home, which can support up to five people with learning disabilities.
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic. Staff and visitors had health checks, staff used protective equipment, and supplies of protective equipment and testing kits were monitored. Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable plans for managing infections and possible outbreaks.
The home had not had any confirmed coronavirus cases. Staff supported people to keep in touch with family and continue activities during restrictions, including video calls, garden visits and adapted activities. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Clean environment
The home was clean, with higher-risk surfaces such as door handles sanitised three times a day. Audits were used to monitor infection prevention and control.
“The premises were kept in a clean and hygienic condition throughout.” from the report
Protective equipment and testing
Staff used appropriate protective equipment and had received infection control training. The home monitored protective equipment supplies and had access to coronavirus testing.
“We observed staff wearing appropriate PPE. Staff had received training on infection prevention and control” from the report
Respect for people's rights
Where people could not consent to coronavirus testing, the home recorded mental capacity assessments and best-interests decisions. Inspectors found the records detailed and focused on people's rights.
“The documentation we reviewed was detailed and demonstrated how the service had considered the person's rights and protected characteristics” from the report
Family contact and activities
The home adapted activities and used technology to help people stay in contact with family during restrictions. It also supported garden and planned home visits.
“The service had worked creatively during the pandemic to ensure people using the service accessed activities they enjoyed and maintained contact with family members.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitor arrangements and family visits managed now, and how do you assess infection risks for each person?
- 02How do you make sure people who cannot consent to medical testing have their capacity and best interests properly considered?
- 03What protective equipment, testing and cleaning arrangements are currently in place?
- 04How would you support someone who developed symptoms or tested positive for an infection?
- 05How do you help people continue their preferred activities and contact with family when restrictions change?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only, so the service was inspected but not rated overall and wider areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 November 2020 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
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found highly personalised care, with Good ratings for safety, effectiveness and kindness.
This was a comprehensive, unannounced inspection on 4 January 2018. The home supported five people with learning disabilities, which was its full registered capacity. Inspectors spoke with staff, a resident, relatives and health and social care professionals. They also observed care and checked care plans, staff recruitment records and other documents.
Inspectors found that people received safe, effective and kind care. Staff understood people's communication, health and behaviour support needs. There were enough staff, medicines were managed safely, risks were assessed, and people were supported to make choices and stay as independent as possible.
The home was rated Outstanding for being responsive and well-led. Inspectors found that activities, care plans and communication methods were closely tailored to each person. The overall rating of Outstanding means the inspectors judged the service to be performing exceptionally well overall.
Personalised support
Care plans described people's communication, routines, preferences, interests and goals in detail. Staff used this information to support people as individuals.
“Care plans had a pre-shift summary to enable a quick overview of people's communication needs, triggers and signs of behaviour that may challenge.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People were supported to try activities in the home and community, including holidays, swimming, entertainment and other interests. Staff reviewed what people enjoyed and adapted future opportunities.
“People had many opportunities to take part in as many interests as they chose.” from the report
Choice and independence
Staff supported people to make decisions, communicate preferences and take sensible risks. People were helped to develop daily living skills and greater independence.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.” from the report
Family involvement
Families were involved in care planning and reviews and were kept informed about people's lives and health. The home also welcomed family visits and contact.
“People and their families, where appropriate, were fully involved in the development of their care planning along with health and social care professionals and Argyll House staff.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you currently find out what a person wants if they do not use speech?
- 02How are people's care plans and communication guidance reviewed when their needs or preferences change?
- 03How do you make sure staffing levels and staff skills match each person's needs, including epilepsy or behaviour support?
- 04What activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative, and how would you know whether they enjoyed them?
- 05How would my relative and our family raise a concern or complaint, and how would their views be recorded if they could not complain verbally?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five questions and the overall quality of the home. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 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 Argyll House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
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44 live-in carers within about an hour of Swindon
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 £990 to £1,280 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Linet became her carer and all changed, my daughter started eating, taking her medications and more important her happiness came back.”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.