CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Blackwells
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People said they felt safe, and staff understood how to report concerns. Risks, staffing, medicines and infection control were managed safely, although not every staff file had a photograph.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant induction and ongoing training, including positive behaviour support. People received suitable food, help to access healthcare and support to make their own choices.
- Caring?
- Good
- People had positive relationships with staff and were treated with dignity and respect. They were involved in decisions about their care and encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personal and included people's histories, preferences and communication needs. People were supported with activities, relationships, cultural or religious beliefs and advocacy when needed.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor care. Staff said they felt supported, listened to and involved in developing the home.
What inspectors found, September 2019
Blackwells was rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with only minor issues noted.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 14 August 2019. One inspector spoke with five people living at the home and five staff members. They also reviewed care plans, medicine records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People were supported to make choices, build independence and take part in activities they enjoyed. Inspectors found that risks and medicines were managed safely, and that staff treated people with dignity and respect.
This was a planned inspection because the previous rating was Good, published in February 2017. The Good ratings stayed the same in every area.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they liked living at the home and felt safe. Staff knew how to raise safeguarding concerns.
“Staff are nice, so I do feel safe here.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were encouraged to make decisions, learn skills and take positive risks. Staff supported people to do household tasks, cook and access activities.
“People were encouraged and supported to take positive risks to support their well-being and independence.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm relationships between people and staff. Staff respected privacy and dignity and involved people in decisions about their support.
“Staff fully respected and promoted people's privacy and dignity.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's histories, preferences and communication needs. Staff used this information to provide person-centred support.
“People had individualised care plans that supported a person-centred approach.” from the report
Well-trained staff
Staff received induction, ongoing training and specialist positive behaviour support training. Inspectors saw staff using these skills when supporting people.
“Staff undertook a comprehensive induction programme.” from the report
Some staff files were incomplete
minorNot all staff records contained a photograph of the employee. The care manager said this was being corrected.
“Although we noted not all staff files had a photograph of the employee present.” from the report
The home is larger than current guidance
minorSeven people were living at the home, which is larger than current best practice guidance for this type of service. Inspectors said the building and location reduced any negative impact.
“This is larger than current best practice guidance.” from the report
- 01How will you make sure my relative's care plan reflects their communication needs, preferences and personal history?
- 02How do you support people to take positive risks while keeping them safe?
- 03What activities, work or community opportunities could my relative take part in?
- 04How do you support people with medicines and respond if their health needs change?
- 05What action has been taken to ensure all staff records contain the required information?
This was an unannounced planned inspection that looked at the care home, the care provided and all five CQC questions; all five ratings were assessed and remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 September 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.
What inspectors found, February 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a recent change of management and further staff training planned.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 18 January 2017. They observed care, spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and health professionals, and checked care records, medicines records, complaints and other information.
The home provided care for up to seven adults with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and autism. All seven places were occupied. Inspectors found that people were involved in decisions about their care, had access to healthcare, received support with food and medicines, and were helped to stay independent.
Inspectors found positive relationships between people and staff. Staff understood people's communication needs, preferences and routines. The home had systems to handle complaints and monitor care quality. All five areas were rated Good, meaning inspectors judged the service to be meeting the relevant standards at the time of this inspection.
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices, go out, take part in activities and work towards greater independence. Restrictions were considered alongside ways to preserve people's freedom.
“There was a positive culture at the home, with a focus on people's independence and freedom.” from the report
Personalised communication
Staff knew how each person communicated and adjusted their approach to reduce frustration and anxiety.
“People's individual communication needs and preferences were known by staff.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People described warm relationships with staff. Inspectors saw a relaxed home where people could ask for help or talk with staff.
“People told us they felt treated with respect and dignity.” from the report
Good involvement
People helped shape their care, meals, activities and the running of the home. There were also clear ways to give feedback or complain.
“People were involved in decisions about the running of their home.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home carried out regular checks on medicines, infection control and health and safety, and took action when issues were found.
“Monthly audits were in place for areas such as medicines, infection control and health and safety.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What further training have staff completed on the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards?
- 02How has the recent change of management progressed, and is the manager now registered with the CQC?
- 03How many staff are normally on duty, and how is care kept consistent when regular staff are absent?
- 04How do you decide whether someone can safely administer their own medicines?
- 05How will the home support my relative's communication style, interests, cultural identity and goals for independence?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 February 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 Blackwells
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 December 2010.
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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11 live-in carers within about an hour of Herefordshire, County of
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 £960 to £1,410 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough 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.