CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Aylestone
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely and staff recruitment and training supported safety, although staffing had not always been sufficient for community activities in the recent past.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs and choices were assessed, and staff had the skills, training and supervision needed. People were supported with healthy food, healthcare, communication and legally required mental capacity processes.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described as caring and friendly. People were treated with dignity, involved in decisions where possible and supported to develop independence, although some families felt staff were not always consistent in this approach.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support plans reflected people's interests, communication needs and goals. People were supported to access activities, education and family relationships, but some families reported that community activities had not always taken place.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found quality checks, action plans and family and staff feedback systems. The registered manager had been in post for two months, after a period of management changes, and some families said agreed communication improvements had not always been maintained.
What inspectors found, August 2019
Heathcotes (Aylestone) was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with some past staffing and communication issues.
Inspectors visited on 2 July 2019. The announced inspection involved an inspector and a specialist adviser. They spoke with people, managers and support workers, reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records, and contacted a family member afterwards.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were safe, supported by trained staff, treated with respect and helped to make choices, build independence and take part in community activities.
There had been recent staff departures and changes in management. Inspectors were told staffing levels had since become consistent with assessed needs. They also noted that garden use, consistency in promoting independence, communication with families and end of life records needed attention.
Safe medicines
Medicines were given safely and on time. Staff were trained, their competence was checked and medicine systems were organised.
“People were supported with their medicines in a safe and timely way.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff received induction, ongoing training, supervision and appraisal. Families expressed confidence in their skills and knowledge.
“People were supported by staff who had the skills, knowledge and experience.” from the report
Caring relationships
Inspectors observed positive relationships between staff and people. Families spoke positively about supportive relationships and staff understanding people's needs.
“Family members spoke positively about the staff, and how some staff in particular had developed supportive relationships with their relative” from the report
Choice and activities
People were supported to take part in community activities, education, hobbies and family relationships. Support focused on choice, independence and gaining new skills.
“People were encouraged and supported to take part in a range of community based leisure activities, which included swimming, days trips to safari parks and zoos.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home used audits, feedback and action plans to identify and follow up improvements. The provider's quality team also revisited to check actions had been completed.
“Quality monitoring of the service used a variety of methods, which included audits undertaken by the registered manager and regional manager.” from the report
Recent staffing shortages
needs fixingStaff and some families said staffing had not always been sufficient for community activities. Managers said recruitment had taken place and staffing was then consistent with assessed needs.
“Staff and some family members expressed concerns that staffing numbers had not always been sufficient to support people in accessing community activities.” from the report
Garden maintenance
minorFamilies said the garden was not consistently well maintained or used to its full potential. The manager said extra seating and games were being purchased.
“Family members told us the home was well-maintained; however they also said the garden was not consistently well-maintained or utilised to its maximum potential.” from the report
Consistency of independence support
needs fixingSome families felt that not all staff consistently supported people to develop independent living skills. The manager said this would be discussed with staff.
“however some family members said not all staff were consistent in this approach.” from the report
Communication with families
needs fixingSome families said agreed communication changes were made at first but were not sustained. The manager said they would consult families about improving communication.
“some family members spoke of their frustration of having agreed changes around communication, found the changes were initially made but not maintained.” from the report
End of life records
needs fixingEnd of life care had not been fully explored in people's records. The report said this was partly because some people could not understand the subject or might find it distressing.
“People's records regarding end of life care had not been fully explored with people.” from the report
- 01How many staff are now available to support each person with community activities, and how often have planned activities taken place?
- 02How do you make sure all staff consistently support people to develop independent living skills?
- 03What changes have been made to communication with families, and how do you check that agreed changes are maintained?
- 04How will you discuss and record end of life wishes for people who may find the subject distressing or cannot understand it?
- 05What improvements have been made to the garden, including the extra seating and games mentioned in the report?
This was a planned, announced inspection covering the premises and care provided, with all five CQC questions assessed; all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 August 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, April 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some premises work still needed.
This was an announced comprehensive inspection on 19 February 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They observed care and checked care plans, risk assessments, medicines, staff records and quality checks.
The home supported seven people with autism and a learning disability. Inspectors found that people felt safe, received their medicines on time and had their health, dietary and cultural needs supported. Staff were trained and there were enough staff available.
Inspectors found respectful relationships, personalised care and support for activities, education, community access and family contact. People and relatives knew how to complain, and complaints had been investigated. The overall rating and all five areas were Good.
Two areas of the building needed improvement. The provider said flooring would be replaced and internal and external walls would be repaired. This did not change the Good rating.
Safe care
Risk assessments and care plans gave staff clear guidance about people's needs, choices and safety. Medicines were stored, checked and given on time.
“People continued to feel safe using the service. Risk assessments were completed, managed and reviewed regularly.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff received regular training, supervision and appraisals. Training included positive support for behaviours that could challenge services and other safety-related subjects.
“Staff received training that promoted positive interventions to support people with behaviours that challenge services and other training related to safety.” from the report
Kind and respectful relationships
Inspectors saw staff speaking positively with people and respecting their privacy, dignity, choices and individuality.
“Staff were polite, friendly and consistently approached people in a positive and happy mood.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's communication, routines and preferences. People were supported to take part in activities, use the wider community and maintain relationships.
“There were a range of assessments and care plans that provided staff with guidance in providing consistently personalised care and support.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The provider used audits, incident reviews and monthly monitoring visits to identify and address shortfalls. The report says the quality system was used effectively.
“The provider's quality assurance system continued to be used effectively.” from the report
Premises repairs
needs fixingInspectors found two areas needing improvement. The provider said flooring would be replaced and internal and external walls would be repaired after the inspection.
“However, we identified two areas that needed improvements which we shared with the registered manager who assured us action would be taken.” from the report
- 01Have the flooring been replaced and the internal and external walls been repaired as promised after the inspection?
- 02How do you make sure there are enough familiar staff when someone is off sick or absent?
- 03How will you involve my relative in reviewing their care plan and making decisions about daily routines and activities?
- 04How do you check that medicines continue to be given at the right time and that any errors are acted on?
- 05How can my relative access information, advocacy or the complaints process in a format they understand?
This was the second comprehensive inspection and covered all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 April 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 Aylestone
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 October 2012.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Leicester
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 £1,270 a week. 83 can care for a couple. 12 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.”
“Tino was the most wonderfully rounded, empathetic and intuitive person. He not only developed a great relationship with Neville but also had a great working relationship with our existing carer.”
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.