CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Berrywood
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People said they felt safe, and inspectors found enough staff, suitable recruitment checks and regular reviews of risks. Medicines checks, safeguarding procedures, accident monitoring and fire arrangements were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training, supervision and support. People were involved in decisions about their care, food and activities, and staff supported their health needs.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with dignity and respect. Inspectors saw warm relationships and found that staff supported independence, family contact and friendships.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and updated when needs changed. People were supported with hobbies, activities, community life and ways to raise concerns.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager and provider used audits, meetings and surveys to monitor the home and make improvements. People, relatives and staff said their views were listened to.
What inspectors found, September 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support, with some fire-safety improvements still to complete.
Inspectors visited the home without warning on 5 September 2018. They spoke with three people living there, two staff members and the registered manager. They also received feedback from four relatives and checked care plans, staff files, medicines, incidents and quality checks.
The home supported five people with complex needs and learning disabilities. Inspectors found enough trained staff, personalised care plans and support for people to make choices, stay active and use the community. People and relatives said they felt safe and were happy with the support.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating as at the previous inspection. The report found no serious risks or concerns at this inspection.
Enough suitable staff
There were enough staff to meet people's needs and support them to go out and attend planned activities. Recruitment checks were also in place before staff started work.
“There was enough staff to meet people`s needs effectively.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans were tailored to each person and updated when their needs changed. People were supported to follow their interests and take part in activities at home and in the community.
“People received personalised care and support which enabled them to live life to the full.” from the report
Respect and relationships
Staff promoted dignity, privacy and independence. They also helped people maintain relationships with family and friends.
“Staff encouraged people to maintain and develop relationships with friends and family.” from the report
Strong oversight
The manager and provider carried out regular checks on care plans, health and safety and other parts of the service. They used meetings and feedback to make changes.
“The provider`s systems and processes were developed to support the registered manager to monitor and improve the quality of the care and support people received.” from the report
Fire-safety actions
minorThe August 2018 fire risk assessment found the provider compliant but listed some medium-term improvements. The manager said these would be completed promptly, so families may want to check that they were finished.
“The recent fire risk assessment carried out in August 2018 assessed the provider as being compliant and only made some medium-term improvement recommendations for the provider to complete.” from the report
- 01Have all the medium-term recommendations from the August 2018 fire risk assessment been completed?
- 02How are medicines records checked each day, and what happens if a dose is missed or not recorded?
- 03How will you make sure staffing levels remain sufficient when several people want to go out at the same time?
- 04How are care plans reviewed when a person's needs, health or ability to travel independently changes?
- 05How are people involved in choosing activities, menus and decisions about their care?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, using a shorter report format because the overall Good rating had not changed. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 September 2018 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 Berrywood
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 January 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.
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 Hertfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.