CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 25 Beacon Close
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were observed to be safe and at ease. Risk assessments, safeguarding procedures, staffing, recruitment, medicines and emergency arrangements were found to be suitable.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and support. People had detailed assessments, suitable food, access to health professionals and care that followed the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS requirements.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were observed to be kind, respectful and attentive. They understood people's communication needs, preferences and histories, and supported people and relatives during illness.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and updated when needs changed. People were supported with chosen activities, community access, holidays and complaints information in an easy-read format.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers were described as approachable and supportive. Regular audits, meetings, feedback and action plans were used to monitor and improve the home.
What inspectors found, February 2018
Avenues South East - 25 Beacon Close was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 12 January 2018. One inspector observed care, spoke with managers and support workers, and later spoke with a relative. Records for both residents, including care plans, risk assessments, medicines, staff rotas and audits, were checked.
The home supported up to three people with learning disabilities, autism and limited verbal communication. Two people lived there at the time. Inspectors found people were safe, medicines were managed properly, staffing was sufficient and staff had the training and skills needed.
Care was described as kind, respectful and tailored to individual preferences. People were supported with health appointments, food, activities, community access and holidays. Relatives and people were involved in care reviews, where possible, and complaints information was available.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home had also been rated Good in all areas at the previous inspection on 19 February 2016.
Safe care
Staff understood safeguarding and individual risks, including communication difficulties, choking and behaviour that could put people at risk.
“This enabled the staff to take immediate action to minimise or prevent harm to people.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff treating people with dignity and compassion. Staff knew people well and respected their privacy and personal choices.
“We found the staff team was committed to delivering a service that had compassion and respect for people.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's preferences and needs. People and relatives were involved in reviews and decisions about support.
“Support plans were personalised and showed people's preferences had been taken into account.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to choose activities, access the local community, go on holidays and develop greater independence.
“People were supported to access leisure activities in the local community and to go on holidays.” from the report
Good management checks
The manager and provider used regular audits, staff meetings and feedback to monitor the quality of care and act on improvements.
“The provider continued to have effective systems in place for monitoring the service, which the registered manager fully implemented.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do staff recognise pain, illness or distress when a person cannot communicate verbally?
- 02How are current risk assessments kept up to date, especially for choking and behaviour that challenges?
- 03How many staff are normally on duty during the day and overnight, and what happens if someone is absent?
- 04How are people supported to choose activities and become more independent?
- 05How are relatives involved in care reviews and told about changes in health or appointments?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions; the report states that the previous inspection on 19 February 2016 was also rated Good in all areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 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 25 Beacon Close
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 January 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.
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91 live-in carers within about an hour of Medway
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. 10 years' experience on average.
“Usha rapidly became 'one of the family' and is sorely missed.”
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
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.