CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Berrybrook House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Medicines were given as prescribed and there were enough suitably recruited staff, but written guidance for some as-needed medicines and night-time evacuation checks needed attention.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained, supported and knowledgeable about people's needs. People received a balanced diet, had access to healthcare and were supported in line with their choices.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors observed staff treating people with kindness, dignity and respect. People and their relatives were involved in decisions and staff supported independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's individual needs and preferences. People had flexible activities and relatives felt able to raise concerns.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- People and staff spoke positively about the management team, but audits needed to be strengthened and embedded into practice. The provider was also advised to improve its knowledge of adult social care law and best practice.
What inspectors found, May 2019
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, personalised care, but the home needed to improve its management checks and knowledge of adult social care requirements.
This was the first inspection since the service registered with CQC. Inspectors visited on 07 May and 09 May 2019. They spoke with people using the service, relatives, staff and other professionals, and checked care records, staff files and management information.
The home was rated Good for safe, effective, caring and responsive care. People received their medicines as prescribed, had enough trained staff, and were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found that staff were kind, respectful and knowledgeable, and that care was personalised around people's needs, choices and independence.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for being well-led. Audits and management checks needed to be stronger and more firmly built into everyday practice. Inspectors also recommended that the provider improve its knowledge of legal requirements and best practice for adult social care.
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff treating people with exceptional kindness and caring. Staff understood how to support communication, privacy, dignity and emotional wellbeing.
“We observed staff interacting with people and found them to be exceptionally kind and caring.” from the report
Skilled and knowledgeable staff
Staff had training, inductions and regular support. They knew people's needs and preferences well.
“People were supported by extremely well skilled staff who were trained and supported to carry out their role.” from the report
Personalised support
Care was planned around people's choices and needs. Activities helped people build confidence, life skills and independence.
“People received personalised care which met their needs and took in to consideration their preferences.” from the report
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, and recruitment checks were carried out safely.
“Yes there are always enough staff around and staff are very competent.” from the report
Management checks needed strengthening
needs fixingAudits were in place, but they did not yet provide strong and consistent oversight of every area of the service.
“Audits needed to be strengthened and embedded into practice to ensure all areas of the service were monitored.” from the report
Adult social care knowledge
needs fixingThe management team needed to develop its understanding of the legal requirements and best practice for adult social care.
“We recommend the provider seeks to further their knowledge and understanding of the legislative requirements of the Health and Social Care Act and best practice guidance in adult social care.” from the report
Some safety records and guidance
needs fixingWritten protocols were not in place for some as-needed medicines. Fire safety checks were taking place, but night-time evacuation checks needed to cover all staff.
“Fire safety checks were taking place, but the provider needed to ensure that night time evacuations were completed for all staff.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to strengthen audits and make sure every area of the service is monitored?
- 02Have all staff completed and recorded night-time fire evacuation checks?
- 03What written protocols are now in place for medicines given on an as-needed basis?
- 04What training or qualification has the management team completed on adult social care law and best practice?
- 05How are people and relatives involved in reviewing personalised care plans and activities?
This was a planned comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, and it was the provider's first inspection since registration. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 May 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 Berrybrook House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- May 2019Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 21 May 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.
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
62 live-in carers within about an hour of Derbyshire
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 £1,010 to £1,260 a week. 51 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Ernest is an amazing professional carer who delivers care from the heart.”
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.