CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Barn Park Residential Home
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection-control arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 09 February 2021. It looked only at how the home was preventing and controlling infections during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found good practice. Staff followed infection-control guidance, used protective equipment properly, completed testing and supported people to keep in touch with their families. The home also had cleaning schedules, infection-control audits and an up-to-date policy.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for most areas of care. The Safe question was also inspected but not rated.
Infection-control practice
Staff followed infection-control guidance and had training and support from outside health professionals. The home had risk assessments and an up-to-date infection-control policy.
“Staff were following current infection prevention and control guidance to help people to stay safe.” from the report
Cleaning and monitoring
The home had an infection-control lead, regular audits and a cleaning schedule covering all areas.
“A cleaning schedule for all areas of the home was in place and implemented to ensure the whole home was effectively cleaned on a regular basis.” from the report
Contact with families
Staff helped people stay in touch with relatives through video calls and the home introduced a visitors’ pod for safer visits.
“A visitors 'pod' has been introduced to allow visitors to visit people safely.” from the report
Communication
The registered manager regularly communicated with people, staff and families about the safety precautions being used.
“The registered manager communicated with people, staff and family members regularly to make sure everyone had an understanding of precautions being taken, and how to keep people safe.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your infection-control arrangements changed since the February 2021 inspection?
- 02How often are residents and staff tested now, and how are possible infections managed?
- 03What arrangements are currently in place for family visits, including any visitors’ pod or alternative contact?
- 04How do you check that cleaning, PPE use and infection-control procedures are being followed?
- 05How will you keep our family informed about any infection risks or changes to visiting arrangements?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not provide ratings for the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 February 2021 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, December 2019
Rated Good in every area; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, with some records and building improvements still needed.
This was the home’s first planned inspection since a new provider was registered in December 2018. The visit was unannounced and took place on 11 November 2019. One inspector spoke with residents, staff, the manager and a healthcare professional. They also observed care and checked care records, complaints, audits and other documents.
Inspectors found people were safe, their medicines were managed properly and staff had suitable training. People received personalised care, had choices about daily routines and were supported to access healthcare. Residents were treated kindly and with respect. Activities, family contact and end of life support were available.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. However, some safety check records were not available during the visit, some care plan summary sheets were out of date, and parts of the building were tired. The records were later sent to CQC, and the provider agreed to improve how they were kept.
Safe staffing and medicines
Staffing was planned around people’s needs, and inspectors saw staff responding promptly without appearing rushed. Medicines were given by trained and competent staff, with no reported medicine errors in the previous year.
“At all times during the inspection there was a calm atmosphere in the home and the staff were able to go about their work unrushed.” from the report
Kind, respectful care
People appeared relaxed and comfortable. Staff were friendly, supported people sensitively and encouraged independence and choice.
“We observed friendly and caring interactions between people and staff.” from the report
Good staff training
New staff completed an induction, while existing staff had refresher training, supervision and opportunities to gain care qualifications.
“All staff had a scheduled supervision meeting with the registered manager on a two-monthly basis.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people’s routines, preferences and communication needs. Care plans were reviewed monthly and families were involved where appropriate.
“Those staff we spoke with during the inspection were knowledgeable about the people they were looking after.” from the report
Good healthcare links
The home worked with GPs, nurses, therapists and other professionals. Referrals and appointments were arranged when needed.
“Staff worked well with other agencies to ensure people's health care needs were met.” from the report
Safety records were not readily available
needs fixingDaily, weekly and monthly records for fire safety, water, premises and equipment checks could not be found during the inspection. They were later located and sent to CQC, and the provider agreed to put this right.
“The records for the daily, weekly and monthly checks to keep the premises, people, visitors and staff safe were not available at the time of inspection.” from the report
Some care plan summaries were out of date
needs fixingSome summary sheets were undated and did not always show changes in people’s needs. Inspectors said this could lead to the wrong care, although staff used handover reports at shift changes.
“These were undated and did not always provide a true reflection of care and support needs where there had been a change.” from the report
Parts of the building needed improvement
minorThe home was described as clean and homely, but some window frames and other parts of the building were tired and worn. A refurbishment programme was under way.
“The fabric of the home is tired and worn but the new provider has a programme of refurbishment.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure fire safety, water, premises and equipment check records are available at all times?
- 02Have all care plan summary sheets been dated and updated when people’s needs change?
- 03What refurbishment work has been completed since the inspection, and what work remains?
- 04How are residents and families involved in care plan reviews and decisions about daily routines?
- 05How would you support my relative if they needed end of life care at the home?
This was the first planned, unannounced inspection of the newly registered service and covered all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 December 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 Barn Park Residential Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 December 2018.
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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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,020 to £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
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“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
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.