CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ashcott Bungalow
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People had individual risk assessments, medicines were managed by trained staff, and checks were made on the building, equipment and emergency arrangements. Inspectors were also assured about infection prevention and control.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff received regular training, supervision and support. Care plans recorded people's health needs, dietary requirements and choices, and the home worked with health professionals when needed.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff supported people to make decisions, maintain independence and take part in everyday activities.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised around people's histories, preferences and goals. People were supported with communication, family relationships, holidays, individual activities and complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had a positive, person-centred culture. The management team used audits, meetings, feedback and partnership working to monitor quality and make improvements.
What inspectors found, October 2023
Ashcott House: Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care with suitable staff, medicines checks and strong management oversight.
Inspectors visited on 31 August 2023. They met people living in the home, observed care, spoke with staff, relatives and health professionals, and checked care records, medicines records, risk assessments and recruitment files.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, supported by trained staff, involved in decisions and treated with dignity and respect.
The home supported people to make choices, develop independence and take part in activities. Care plans were reviewed, relatives and professionals were involved, and the management team used checks and feedback to improve the service.
The overall Good rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, published in November 2017. This inspection also considered infection prevention and control, and inspectors found suitable arrangements in place.
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices and control their daily lives. Staff encouraged people to take part in cooking, cleaning and other activities.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests;” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found that people were treated with compassion and that staff understood their individual needs, privacy and dignity.
“People received kind and compassionate care from staff at the service.” from the report
Trained staff
Staff had regular training, refresher courses, supervision and support. Training included areas linked to the needs of people living in the home.
“Regular training and refresher courses helped staff continuously apply best practice.” from the report
Personalised activities
People were supported to maintain relationships, go on holidays and choose individual activities, including shopping, meals out and cinema trips.
“People had a 1:1 day each week when they were supported with household tasks and any requested individual activities.” from the report
Management oversight
The management team used audits, feedback and meetings to monitor the service and identify improvements. A new electronic care planning system was being introduced.
“The management team had auditing systems to maintain ongoing oversight and continued development of the service.” from the report
Staffing may need to increase
minorThe manager was discussing increasing the overall staffing level as people's needs increased. Families should ask what decision was made and whether staffing has since changed.
“The registered manager confirmed they were speaking with the provider and social services with a view to increasing the overall staffing level as people's needs increased.” from the report
- 01Have staffing levels increased since the inspection as people's needs changed?
- 02How will the new electronic care planning system affect the way relatives see and contribute to care plans?
- 03How are medicines checked, and how are any discrepancies followed up?
- 04How will you support my relative's communication needs, including the use of easy-read information, pictures or Makaton if needed?
- 05How often will my relative's care and support needs be reviewed, and how will the family be involved?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, including the premises, care provided, infection prevention and control, records and staff recruitment. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 October 2023 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, November 2017
Ashcott House: Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with all five areas remaining Good.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 20 October 2017. The home supported seven people with a learning disability, and inspectors spoke with people, staff and the manager. They also observed care and checked care records, recruitment, training, medicines and quality records.
Inspectors found that people were safe and supported by enough staff. Medicines were handled safely, risks were assessed, and staff had suitable training. People were helped with their health, diet, choices and independence.
People had kind relationships with staff and were involved in decisions about their care. Their care plans were personalised, and they were supported with activities, day services, outings and family relationships. The home had a complaints process and systems to check and improve its work.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was unchanged from the previous inspection on 20 October 2015.
Safe staffing and risk management
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs safely. Risks involving mobility, equipment, outings and fire safety were assessed and checked.
“We saw that staff were available when people needed them and they responded to people's requests for assistance promptly.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People had positive relationships with staff. Staff listened, respected privacy and dignity, and encouraged independence and personal choice.
“Staff interacted with people in a kind and caring way.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records described people's individual needs, preferences, communication and support requirements. People were supported to take part in activities they enjoyed.
“The service continued to ensure that people's care records were personalised and their care was tailor made to meet their needs.” from the report
Meaningful activities and family links
People were supported with day services, outings, holidays and activities at home. The home also supported important family relationships.
“The service continued to provide people with the opportunity and support to maintain links with the community and undertake meaningful activities that they enjoyed.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The manager and provider carried out audits and used them to identify and address shortfalls. The home also sought views from people, relatives and staff.
“Where shortfalls were identified, records demonstrated that these were acted upon, including in action plans.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What is the current position of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards referrals that were awaiting authorisation at the inspection?
- 02How would you support my relative's specific mobility, communication, health and dietary needs?
- 03What activities, day services and community outings would be available for my relative?
- 04Has the planned bathroom refurbishment been completed, and if not, when is it expected?
- 05How would my relative and our family be asked for feedback or raise a complaint?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five questions, with all ratings remaining Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 November 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 Ashcott Bungalow
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 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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23 live-in carers within about an hour of Suffolk
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 17 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
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.