CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Barn Rise
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, August 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, with two staff vacancies being covered internally.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 21 June 2023. One inspector spoke with three relatives, the manager and three staff members. They reviewed care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, training information and management audits.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, risks and medicines errors. Staff had suitable training, people received appropriate healthcare and food, and records and checks were generally well maintained.
The inspection did not assess Caring or Responsive. The overall Good rating was kept from the previous inspection, which was published on 8 November 2017, together with the findings from this focused inspection.
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices, take positive risks and do more things independently. Staff aimed to use the least restrictive approach.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests;” from the report
Positive management
Relatives and staff spoke positively about the management. Inspectors found regular audits and clear responsibilities.
“There were thorough and regular audits carried out by the registered manager, staff, and the provider.” from the report
Support with health and food
People were supported with healthy food choices, drinks and snacks, healthcare appointments and specialist risks such as choking.
“People who used the service were supported to have a well-balanced, nutritious, and healthy diet.” from the report
Staff vacancies
minorThe home had two staff vacancies and was finding it difficult to recruit experienced staff. The vacancies were covered internally, and inspectors found that people's needs were being met.
“The registered manager advised us that the service found it challenging to recruit new experienced staff, but recruitment was ongoing.” from the report
- 01How are the two staff vacancies being covered now, and are there enough permanent staff for my relative's needs?
- 02How will you support my relative to make choices and become more independent?
- 03How are medicines used for anxiety or distressed behaviour reviewed?
- 04What specialist training do staff have for my relative's health needs, such as choking or epilepsy?
- 05How will you keep me informed about my relative's care and any changes in their needs?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led only; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings were used to calculate the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 August 2023 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, November 2017
Barn Rise was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 5 October 2017. One inspector spoke with the manager, three care workers and one relative, observed care, and checked care records, staff records, medicines records and quality checks.
The home supported seven people with learning disabilities and challenging needs. Inspectors found that risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely and there were enough staff. Staff had relevant training and people were supported with health care, meals and activities.
Inspectors saw kind and respectful relationships. Care plans were detailed, personal and regularly reviewed. People were supported to make choices, stay active and keep links with relatives.
The home was rated Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It was already rated Good at the previous inspection on 29 October 2015, and this rating remained unchanged.
Risk management
The home assessed individual risks and used extra specialist support where needed. Inspectors found this work had helped reduce behaviours that challenged the service.
“Risks were assessed and management plans were in place to minimise the risk.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored securely, records were checked and staff had training and competency assessments.
“Safe medicines management practice was followed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff showing empathy, reassurance and encouragement. People's privacy and dignity were respected.
“We saw staff sitting down with people for a chat, laughing and joking with people and demonstrating empathy and reassurance if people were upset.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's preferences, routines, interests and support needs. People were offered different activities and choices.
“Care plans were found to be person centred and very well structured.” from the report
Strong health support
The home worked with health professionals and had examples of improving people's emotional and health needs.
“The home has excellent links with community health care professionals such as psychiatrists, GP, District Nursing Team and Specialist Behaviour support.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are my relative's risk assessments reviewed when their needs or behaviour change?
- 02How do you check that staff remain competent to give medicines safely?
- 03How often are DoLS authorisations reviewed, and what happens if one expires?
- 04What activities are available, and how are people supported to choose them?
- 05How will I be involved in reviewing my relative's care plan and be told about changes?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, and all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 November 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 Barn Rise
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 July 2014.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Brent
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. 74 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“The quality of life that she's given my parents has been priceless. The peace of mind she's given my sisters and I, through a very difficult time, has been invaluable.”
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
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.