CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Autumnville
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found sufficient trained staff, safe recruitment, assessed risks, safe medicines management and suitable infection control measures. Incidents were reviewed and used to make improvements.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before they moved in. Staff had relevant training, supported healthy eating and activities, and worked with healthcare professionals to provide joined-up care.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors saw people being treated with kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to make everyday choices and develop greater independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and updated as staff learned more about people's needs. Staff used different communication aids and supported people to take part in activities and reconnect with family.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found positive leadership, clear responsibilities and regular audits and checks. Staff, relatives and healthcare professionals described good communication and a strong focus on outcomes.
What inspectors found, October 2021
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some activities still affected by COVID-19.
This was the first planned inspection of the home. Two inspectors visited on 16 September 2021, spoke with the person living there, four staff members, a relative and two healthcare professionals, and reviewed care, medicines, staff and management records.
The home supports one person with autism and learning disabilities. Inspectors found the person was happy and relaxed, and was being supported to make choices, build independence and learn new skills. Staff used picture cards and other communication tools to help the person express themselves.
Inspectors found safe medicines management, enough trained staff, assessed risks and good infection control arrangements. They also found that staff worked well with healthcare professionals and used incidents and feedback to improve care.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the home's first inspection, so there was no earlier rating to compare with.
Building independence
The person was supported to learn practical skills and become more independent, including dressing themselves and helping with household tasks.
“People had been supported to increase their independence and learn new skills for example dressing themselves.” from the report
Personalised communication
Staff adapted how they communicated and used picture cards and other tools so the person could express choices and needs.
“People were supported by staff to communicate with a range of tools including picture cards, so they were able to express themselves.” from the report
Safe care
Inspectors found that risks, medicines and infection control were managed safely. Staff also used incidents to learn and improve.
“People's medicines were managed safely. People had been supported to reduce the amount of medicines they had been taking.” from the report
Positive leadership
The report describes a positive culture, with staff and managers focused on achieving good outcomes and improving the service.
“There was a positive culture shared by staff and linked to the values of the provider.” from the report
Garden maintenance
minorThe garden still needed maintenance, although it was available for the person to use and play football.
“The garden was awaiting some maintenance but provided people space to play football.” from the report
Activities affected by COVID-19
minorSome activities the person enjoyed had not restarted because of COVID-19. Staff offered alternatives, but it is worth asking what activities are now available.
“Some activities people enjoyed doing had not re started as a result of COVID-19 but staff supported people to take part in alternative activities.” from the report
- 01What maintenance is still needed in the garden, and when will it be completed?
- 02Which activities that stopped during COVID-19 have now restarted, and what alternatives are available?
- 03How will you use picture cards and other communication tools to support my relative's choices?
- 04How often are medicines reviewed, and would any reduction be considered where clinically appropriate?
- 05How are end of life care plans being discussed and completed with the person, family and healthcare professionals?
This was the first comprehensive planned inspection of the newly registered home and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 October 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.
Every inspection of Autumnville
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- October 2021Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 June 2020.
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
39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.