CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Bracken Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, medicines were handled safely, staffing levels were sufficient and staff understood safeguarding. Infection control and recruitment checks were also found to be appropriate.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs and choices were assessed, and staff supported decision-making in line with the Mental Capacity Act. Staff were trained, dietary needs were met and healthcare professionals were involved when needed.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found exceptionally caring staff, strong social bonds and a friendly, inclusive environment. People were involved in the running of the home, supported to develop independence and treated with dignity.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were detailed and personalised, and were reviewed when people's needs changed. Activities reflected people's interests and information about complaints was available in an accessible format.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager was involved in people's care and staff felt supported. Audits, improvement plans, accurate records and links with other organisations were in place.
What inspectors found, February 2018
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring and inspectors finding a warm, personalised and well-managed home.
Inspectors visited the home without notice on 28 November 2017. They spoke with people living there, a relative, staff, the manager and a healthcare professional. They also checked care plans, medicines records, staff files, complaints, incidents, audits and other records.
The home supported up to 10 people with learning disabilities and some physical disabilities. Eight people lived there at the time. Inspectors found people were safe, supported by trained staff, helped to make choices and given food, activities and care suited to their needs.
Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found strong relationships, respect for privacy and dignity, and exceptional involvement in the running of the home. The overall rating remained Good, which means the service met the CQC standards inspected, while caring was judged to be better than this.
Exceptional kindness
Inspectors found staff were compassionate, knew people very well and worked hard to improve their lives.
“People were supported by kind and committed staff that they got along well with.” from the report
People have a real say
People were involved in everyday tasks and decisions, such as activities, shopping, menus and managing their money.
“People were empowered by being routinely involved in the running of the home in a way that achieved positive outcomes for them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's needs, interests and preferences. Staff changed support when people's circumstances changed.
“People received personalised care. Care plans reflected people's needs and interests.” from the report
Safe and effective care
Risk assessments, medicines systems, staff training and healthcare involvement were all found to be appropriate.
“Risks to people were assessed and plans were identified to keep people safe.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative if their health, mobility or memory changed?
- 02How would my relative communicate choices or raise a concern if they do not communicate verbally?
- 03How would you involve my relative in activities, meals and decisions about their care?
- 04What training do staff have for my relative's specific health and communication needs?
- 05How would you minimise the impact of any refurbishment or building work on people living here?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service covering all five key questions; the home had been rated Good at the previous inspection and remained Good overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 February 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 Bracken Lodge
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 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.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 29 November 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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77 live-in carers within about an hour of Surrey
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 £1,250 a week. 66 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Without his support we wouldn't have been able to navigate bringing and keeping Dad at home.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
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.