CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Belmont Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks, safeguarding, emergencies, infection control and medicines were managed safely. Some staff files did not initially contain a full work history and employment references, but the manager said these were obtained and the files updated after the inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- Assessments and care plans guided staff, and staff received suitable training, supervision and support. The person was helped with nutrition, healthcare, independence and decisions made under the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described and observed as kind, empathic and respectful. The person was involved in daily decisions and supported to become more independent, but this rating had fallen from Outstanding at the previous inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and adapted when the person's needs changed. Staff supported communication, family contact, friendships, community activities and a balance between being busy and having time alone.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager was approachable and understood their responsibilities. Quality checks, incident reviews and partnership working supported improvements, including a reduction in incidents.
What inspectors found, February 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support, although the caring rating fell from Outstanding to Good.
This was a planned inspection of a small home supporting one person with a learning disability. One inspector spoke with the person, staff, a relative and a visiting professional. They also checked care, medicines, staff and management records.
The person was supported by a stable staff team who understood their needs and helped them build confidence and independence. Inspectors found the home safe and clean, medicines managed safely, and staff trained to provide effective support.
The person had choice over daily life, food, activities and relationships. Staff supported healthcare access, communication and friendships. The manager reviewed incidents and quality information, and incidents had reduced.
All five areas were rated Good. Caring had been rated Outstanding at the previous inspection in 2017, so this rating had fallen, while the other four ratings remained Good.
Stable staff team
A consistent team helped the person feel safe and trusted. Inspectors linked this stability with fewer significant incidents.
“Action was taken to recruit a stable core staff team, with the right skills and attitudes.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected the person's needs, choices and communication style. Staff changed their support when needs or preferences changed.
“The person received care and support which met their individual needs.” from the report
Growing independence
The person was supported to do more for themselves, including household tasks and shopping. Staff recognised these as important achievements.
“The person's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm, trusting relationships between the person and staff. The person was involved in decisions about daily life and care.
“We saw the registered manager, and care staff, had an exceptionally empathic and kind approach to the person.” from the report
Social inclusion
Staff supported the person to develop friendships, keep in touch with relatives and take part in community activities.
“This support successfully widened the person's social network.” from the report
Learning from incidents
The manager reviewed incidents, changed support plans and introduced additional security after one incident. There had been no further incidents of that type.
“There had been no further incidents of that type.” from the report
Incomplete staff records
minorSome staff files did not initially include a full work history and copies of employment references. The manager said these records were obtained and updated after the inspection.
“However, not all staff records included a full work history and copies of employment references.” from the report
- 01Is the staff team still stable, and will my relative usually be supported by people they know?
- 02Have all staff recruitment records remained complete, including full work histories and employment references?
- 03How do you maintain the caring standards following the fall from Outstanding to Good?
- 04How will you support my relative to build independence and take part in activities at their own pace?
- 05How are incidents, changing needs and care plans reviewed and acted on?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions and both the care provided and the home environment; the previous rating was published in 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 February 2020 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, May 2017
Belmont Road was rated Good overall; inspectors found outstanding caring and strong support for independence.
This was a comprehensive, announced inspection. The inspector reviewed care records, staff recruitment, medicines, training, staffing, complaints and quality checks. They also spoke with four staff members, a relative and the person living at the home, although conversations with the person were limited because they had limited verbal communication.
The person was found to receive safe care. Staffing, recruitment, risk assessments and medicines systems were suitable. Staff were trained, supported and able to meet the person’s health needs. Mental Capacity Act principles and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were used when needed.
Inspectors rated caring Outstanding. They found kind and respectful staff who used individual ways to communicate, supported the person to make choices and helped them become more independent. The other four areas were rated Good. The home remained Good overall, the same as at the March 2015 inspection, with caring improving from Good to Outstanding.
Kind and respectful care
Staff built a trusting relationship with the person and treated them with dignity. Inspectors saw warmth, empathy and calm communication.
“The person was supported by staff who were very kind and caring and treated them with respect and dignity.” from the report
Communication and choice
The home used individual communication methods to help the person understand decisions and express their views. Meetings gave the person and others opportunities to review their support.
“Innovative ways of talking and listening to the person were incorporated in the daily support they received from staff.” from the report
Growing independence
Staff supported the person to develop everyday skills, use local shops and public transport, meet friends and take part in activities. This reduced the amount of continuous staff support needed.
“Records showed there was a clear emphasis on enabling, empowering and supporting the person to achieve their goals and their dreams.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Medicines were stored, recorded and checked safely. Staffing levels were reviewed and staff recruitment included criminal record checks.
“Clear medicine management systems were in place to protect the person from the risks associated with medicines.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you use the person’s communication support plan, signs, symbols or pictures to help my relative make choices?
- 02How do you support people to become more independent while keeping risks reviewed and manageable?
- 03How are medicines recorded, including medicines given only when needed, and how is staff competency checked?
- 04How would you involve my relative, family members and relevant professionals in best-interest decisions?
- 05How would you respond if my relative wanted to complain, and what easy-read or advocacy support would be available?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five questions; the report says the overall rating remained Good from the March 2015 inspection, while caring improved from Good to Outstanding. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 May 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 Belmont Road
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 May 2011.
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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