CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Bell Lane
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, suitable risk assessments, safe medicines management and infection control measures. They also noted that a safeguarding allegation was still under investigation and that CQC was waiting for the outcome.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff received induction, training and supervision. Care plans covered people's health, dietary and support needs, and people were helped to attend healthcare appointments.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were seen asking permission, explaining care and treating people with dignity and respect. People were involved in decisions using communication methods suited to them.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and based on people's interests and wishes. People were supported with activities, education, family visits and outings in the local community.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had regular audits, staff meetings, training and arrangements to cover absences. Inspectors found a positive culture and staff said the new manager had made improvements.
What inspectors found, March 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, but a safeguarding investigation was still awaiting its outcome.
Inspectors visited on 28 February 2019. They spoke with people living in the home, staff, the manager and a visiting healthcare professional. They observed people in shared areas and checked care, medicines, staff and management records.
The home supported three younger adults with learning disabilities and associated conditions. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable medicines support, personalised care plans and good links with healthcare professionals. People were supported to make choices, stay active and take part in the community.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. However, the report says the service was not always safe because a safeguarding allegation was still being investigated and CQC was waiting for the outcome. Inspectors also recommended researching better aids and equipment for people who were registered blind.
Enough staff
Inspectors found staffing levels were sufficient to meet people's needs safely and flexibly, including support for activities and outings.
“There were enough staff to support people safely and to ensure people's needs could be met, including staff support for participating in activities and outings.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well, sought permission before providing care and supported privacy, dignity and independence.
“Staff asked people's permission before carrying out any tasks and explained what they were doing as they supported them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's routines, preferences and communication needs. People were supported to take part in activities, education, family visits and community life.
“Care and support was personalised and responsive to people's individual needs and interests.” from the report
Staff training and support
New staff had a comprehensive induction, while existing staff received ongoing training, supervision and specialist support training.
“New staff completed a comprehensive induction, including the Care Certificate and worked with experienced staff members to learn about their role.” from the report
Quality checks
The provider used regular audits covering areas such as medicines, incidents, safeguarding, complaints and care records.
“The audits consisted of a wide range of weekly, monthly, and quarterly checks.” from the report
Safeguarding outcome pending
seriousA safeguarding allegation about people's care had been made to CQC. The provider had investigated it, but CQC was still waiting for the investigation report and outcome when the report was written.
“At the time of report writing CQC were waiting for the investigation report and the outcome of the investigation to ensure appropriate action was taken if needed.” from the report
More aids for people who are registered blind
minorInspectors recommended researching best practice on aids, adaptations and electronic equipment to further support independence.
“We have made a recommendation that best practice guidance is researched with regard to the use of aids, adaptations and electronic equipment for people who are registered blind, in order to further promote their independence.” from the report
- 01What was the outcome of the safeguarding allegation mentioned in the inspection report, and what action was taken?
- 02What aids, adaptations or electronic equipment are now available for people who are registered blind?
- 03How will you make sure staffing remains sufficient for one-to-one support, activities and outings?
- 04How are people who do not communicate verbally involved in decisions about their care?
- 05How often are medicines competencies checked and what happens if a staff member does not meet the required standard?
This was the first comprehensive inspection since the home registered in November 2017 and it covered all five CQC questions, as well as the premises and care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 March 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 Bell Lane
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2019Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 November 2017.
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 Birmingham
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 £950 to £1,230 a week. 79 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
“God doesn't make people like her anymore!”
“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.