CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Aviary House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including the use of protective equipment, testing, cleaning, visiting and outbreak planning. Staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 were also discussed.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2022
Aviary House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements.
This was a targeted inspection on 4 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures were affecting the service.
Inspectors found several examples of good practice. Visitors were asked for a COVID-19 test, masks and hand sanitiser were available, and staff had suitable protective equipment and training. The home had testing arrangements for people and staff, cleaning schedules, and plans for managing an outbreak.
The service was marked 'Inspected but not rated'. This was not a full inspection of all five areas of care, so it does not give an overall quality rating.
Visitor infection checks
Visitors were asked to show evidence of a COVID-19 test or complete one when they arrived. Masks and hand sanitiser were also available.
“Staff asked all visitors to show evidence of, or complete, a COVID-19 lateral flow test on arrival.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff had enough protective equipment and received ongoing training. The registered manager checked that staff were using it correctly.
“Staff had plentiful supplies of PPE which complied with current national guidance.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the service clean. Daily cleaning checks and regular deep cleans were in place.
“The service was clean. Daily cleaning schedules were in place and the registered manager checked these were done to an acceptable standard.” from the report
Outbreak planning
The home had arrangements to reduce the spread of infection if there was an outbreak, including working with specific groups of people.
“Arrangements were made that in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 staff would work in cohorts with specific people to reduce the risk of spreading the infection throughout the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are COVID-19 testing arrangements for people and staff managed now?
- 02What protective equipment and infection control training do staff currently receive?
- 03How would the home manage an infection outbreak, including the use of staff cohorts?
- 04How are current staffing pressures affecting the service, and what measures are in place to manage them?
- 05How are visits currently arranged in people's own properties?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection of all five areas and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 April 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.
What inspectors found, January 2019
Aviary House was rated Good in all areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with strong management.
Inspectors visited on 3 December 2018. They spoke with seven people, one relative and staff, and reviewed care records, staff files, training records, complaints and quality checks.
They found that people felt safe and that risks, medicines, staffing, recruitment and the building were managed well. Staff were trained and worked with health and social care professionals to support people's health.
People described staff as kind and respectful. Care was personalised, records were up to date, and people were involved in their care. The home also had systems for complaints, feedback and improvement.
All five CQC areas were rated Good. This was the same overall rating as the previous report, published on 1 March 2016.
People felt safe
People said they felt safe, and inspectors found that safeguarding, risk management, staffing and emergency arrangements were effective.
“People continued to be safe and protected from avoidable harm.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as caring. Inspectors found that privacy, dignity, relationships and independence were respected.
“The service involved and treated people with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people well and care records included individual likes, dislikes and routines. The home supported personal choices and important life events.
“Care records were up to date and were written in a personalised way.” from the report
Staff training and support
New staff received training, including the Care Certificate, and staff had regular one-to-one support and opportunities to gain qualifications.
“New staff received the support and training they needed to be effective in their roles when they started work at the service.” from the report
Strong oversight
Managers used meetings, feedback, audits and checks to monitor the home and identify improvements.
“Audits and checks were completed to ensure the safety and quality of the service was maintained.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and support my relative's particular mental health needs and personal goals?
- 02How will you support my relative to manage or learn to manage their medicines safely?
- 03What staffing levels will be in place, and how will you make sure there is enough staff to meet my relative's needs?
- 04How will my relative be involved in writing and reviewing their care plan?
- 05What activities and support for independence would be available to my relative?
This inspection considered all five CQC questions and included discussions with people, a relative and staff, alongside checks of care, training, complaints and quality records. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 January 2019 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 Aviary House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 March 2015.
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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Fees, photos and reviews from families
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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Solihull
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. 9 years' experience on average.
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
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.