CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Blythe House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and staff knew how to report concerns. Risk assessments, incident monitoring, safe recruitment and medicines checks were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and reviewed, and staff had suitable training and supervision. People were supported with food, healthcare, independence and lawful decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff provided kind and respectful care. They understood people's communication methods, supported choice and promoted privacy and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's interests, histories, relationships and changing needs. People were supported to take part in activities, maintain relationships and use the local community.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an open and supportive culture. The manager carried out checks, sought relatives' views and worked with health and social care professionals.
What inspectors found, April 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with people supported to be independent and involved in their community.
This was a planned, unannounced inspection. One inspector reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff records and management records. They spoke with people living in the home, a relative, staff and professionals.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, had their medicines managed safely and received support from trained staff.
People were supported to make choices, communicate in ways that suited them and take part in activities they enjoyed. Inspectors saw positive outcomes, including work experience, horse riding, winter sports and more time in the local community.
The previous inspection, published in July 2016, also rated the home Good. The report says the service would continue to be monitored through routine checks.
Safe medicines support
Medicines were stored, given and disposed of safely. The home took part in the STOMP project and had reduced some people's medicines, supporting their wellbeing.
“Medicine reviews as part of the STOMP project (stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both with psychotropic medicines) had reduced some people's medicines promoting their wellbeing.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make everyday choices and do more for themselves. Staff encouraged independence while remaining available to help.
“People decided most aspects of their day to day care.” from the report
Community activities
People took part in activities they enjoyed and were supported to develop relationships and spend time in the local community.
“Staff supported people to access the community, to maintain and develop relationships alongside participating in hobbies or activities of their choice.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found that staff treated people with compassion, dignity and respect. Staff used different communication methods to understand people's needs.
“People were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.” from the report
Open management
The report describes a welcoming and supportive culture. Staff and relatives said they felt listened to and supported.
“The culture of the service was open, honest, caring and fully focused on people's individual needs.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are medicines reviewed now, and how do you decide whether reductions remain safe and suitable?
- 02How would you support my relative's particular communication methods and help them make everyday decisions?
- 03What activities, work experience or community opportunities could my relative take part in?
- 04How do you make sure care plans and risk assessments are updated when a person's needs or preferences change?
- 05How do you involve relatives in reviews, complaints and decisions about ongoing care?
This was an unannounced, planned comprehensive inspection covering all five rating areas, including both the care provided and the premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 April 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 Blythe House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 August 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
9 live-in carers within about an hour of Lincolnshire
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.
8 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
“Magda was always positive and proactive about trying new things to keep dad busy. She also introduced new ideas for keeping dad healthy.”
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.