CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Avondale House
Not yet rated: the CQC has not published a rated inspection for this home, which is usual for a new registration.
What inspectors found, February 2019
Avondale House was rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, caring support with limited written guidance for some medicines.
This was a planned inspection on 21 January 2019. One inspector reviewed care records, risk assessments, medicines records, staff files, training records, complaints and accident logs. They spoke with five people, the registered manager and three staff members.
People described a warm and friendly home. Inspectors found that staff knew people well, supported their choices and helped them build confidence, independence and everyday skills. People were supported with activities, healthy eating, exercise and contact with health professionals.
The home was clean and well maintained. Staff recruitment, staffing levels, safeguarding, medicines management and emergency planning were generally safe. However, inspectors found little written guidance for some medicines given when needed. A new protocol and recording sheet were introduced after the inspection.
The overall rating and each of the five areas were Good. This means the inspectors found that legal requirements were met and that care was consistently effective, caring, responsive and well led.
Kind, individual support
Staff knew people's needs, preferences and emotional triggers. Inspectors saw warm and respectful interactions.
“Staff knew people well and demonstrated a person-centred approach to supporting and caring for people.” from the report
Building independence
People were encouraged to manage personal care, cooking, travel and other everyday skills as far as possible.
“People were encouraged to be as independent as possible, some were supported to build the knowledge and confidence to travel unaccompanied in the community” from the report
Good health support
Staff noticed changes in people's health and sought advice from appropriate professionals. Guidance was shared with staff and included in care plans.
“When concerns were raised, staff immediately liaised with the registered manager and appropriate professionals.” from the report
Written guidance for some medicines
needs fixingThere was little written guidance about when and how some medicines for mental health needs should be given. The registered manager introduced a new protocol and administration sheet after the inspection.
“However, people also received medicines to support their mental health needs and there was little written guidance on how and when such medicines should be given to people.” from the report
New care planning tools needed review
minorA new care plan and a recovery and reward board game had only just been introduced. Inspectors said they would check how well these worked at the next inspection.
“The board game and new care plan were very new, so we will follow up how well it is working at the next inspection.” from the report
- 01How are the new protocols and administration records for medicines given when needed being used and checked?
- 02How do you make sure staff follow each person's positive behaviour support plan when there are changes in mood or behaviour?
- 03What difference have the new care plans and recovery and reward board game made to people's involvement and progress?
- 04How will you support my relative to build independence in areas such as cooking, personal care, travel or activities?
- 05How are people's health changes and advice from outside professionals recorded and shared with all staff?
This was a planned comprehensive inspection covering the home and all five CQC questions; it also noted that a previous staff recruitment breach had been resolved at a focused inspection in 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 February 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.
What inspectors found, March 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found the home had fixed earlier recruitment safety problems.
This was an unannounced, focused inspection on 17 February 2017. It checked whether the home had fixed a legal problem found at the previous inspection, relating to staff recruitment checks.
Inspectors found that recruitment checks were now completed consistently. They also found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable risk assessments and regular health and safety checks. People said they felt safe and could raise worries with staff.
The overall rating was Good, and the Safe rating was Good. This report only checked safety, so it does not provide new findings about the other four areas of care.
Improved recruitment checks
The home was following its recruitment policy. Staff files included identity checks, references, employment histories and criminal record checks before staff started work.
“Checks to make sure staff were honest, trustworthy and reliable to work with people were completed.” from the report
Enough staff
Staffing was monitored and rotas showed consistent staffing levels. Inspectors found there were enough staff with the right skills to meet people's needs safely.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff were trained and checked as competent. Medicines were stored securely, checked for expiry, given on time and recorded accurately.
“People received their medicines safely and on time.” from the report
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and would speak to staff if they had worries. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse.
“People told us they felt safe living at Avondale House and that staff supported them to keep safe and well.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure references, employment histories and criminal record checks are completed before new staff start?
- 02How do you review staffing levels when people need support with activities, appointments or emergencies?
- 03How are medicines prescribed on an 'as and when' basis recorded and reviewed?
- 04When accidents or near misses show a pattern, what action is taken and how is this checked?
- 05How often are people's risk assessments and emergency evacuation plans reviewed?
This was a focused inspection of Safe only, checking improvements after the previous inspection; it did not reassess the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 March 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 Avondale House
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
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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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.