CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ava House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm, and medicines, staffing and infection control were managed safely. Inspectors found that window restrictors were not fitted throughout the home and some safety checks were briefly out of date.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and supported, and people received help with nutrition, healthcare, communication and daily living skills. Some mental capacity assessments had not been recorded, but the manager addressed this during the inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. They were involved in decisions, supported to express their views and encouraged to develop independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and people had choice and control over their support. Staff supported communication, relationships, community activities and learning new skills.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an open, person-centred culture and managers involved people, relatives and staff. Inspectors recommended improving the system for keeping general premises maintenance up to date.
What inspectors found, December 2022
Ava House rated Good; inspectors found kind, person-centred care, with improvements needed to window safety and premises checks.
This was the first inspection of this newly registered care home. Inspectors visited on 9 and 14 November, with inspection activity also recorded on 1 December 2022. They spoke with four people, four relatives and seven staff, observed care, and checked records and the home.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People had their own flats and were supported to make choices, build independence, take part in community activities and maintain their health.
Inspectors found some shortfalls. Window restrictors were not fitted throughout the home, some premises checks were briefly out of date, and some mental capacity assessments had not been recorded. The manager took action during the inspection, and CQC made two recommendations.
Choice and independence
People had their own flats and were supported to make everyday choices, use public transport, shop and develop daily living skills.
“The service had changed the home so each person had their own private flat to maximise independence and control.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff listening to people and respecting their choices. Relatives said staff were kind and caring.
“Staff were supportive and caring.” from the report
Community involvement
People were supported to take part in activities, volunteering and education outside the home.
“Staff supported people to be socially included in their own community.” from the report
Staff knowledge
Staff received training, regular support and inductions. They knew people's individual needs and how to support them.
“People were supported by properly trained, competent staff.” from the report
Window safety
seriousSpecial window restrictors had not been fitted throughout the home to reduce the risk of people falling from height. The manager took immediate action after inspectors raised this.
“The provider had not always ensured special window restrictors were fitted throughout the home to manage risks linked to people falling from height.” from the report
Mental capacity records
needs fixingStaff checked people's capacity when needed, but assessments were not always recorded. The manager addressed this during the inspection.
“Mental capacity assessments had not always been recorded to document these.” from the report
- 01Have special window restrictors now been fitted throughout the home, and how are they checked?
- 02How do you make sure electrical, appliance, bath hoist and other premises safety checks never go out of date?
- 03How are mental capacity assessments recorded and reviewed when someone may not be able to make a specific decision?
- 04How will my relative be involved in decisions about their support plan and everyday activities?
- 05How will my relative be supported to build independence and take part in community, education or volunteering activities?
This was the first planned inspection of a newly registered service and covered all five key questions, including infection prevention and control. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 December 2022 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 Ava House
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 May 2021.
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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9 live-in carers within about an hour of Cumberland
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.
8 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
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.