CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Brook House
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, July 2023
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind care and good food, but serious fire, infection control and governance failures.
Inspectors visited without notice on 26 and 27 April 2023. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and managers, observed care, and checked care, staffing, medicines and safety records.
People were treated kindly and with respect. They generally felt safe, enjoyed the food, and were supported to make choices. The home was clean in most areas, and staff had built positive relationships with people.
However, fire safety and laundry infection controls were not managed well. Care plans did not always give staff enough personalised guidance, and staff needed stronger dementia and moving and handling training. The provider's checks did not reliably find these problems.
The overall rating and four of the five key question ratings were Requires Improvement. Caring was rated Good. The report identified breaches of Regulations 12 and 17, and the provider was required to say what action it would take.
Kind and respectful care
People were treated with kindness and respect. Staff had developed trusting relationships and supported people's privacy, dignity and independence.
“People were supported by staff who were attentive, caring and respectful.” from the report
Food and nutrition
People enjoyed home-cooked food and could have snacks and drinks throughout the day. Staff supported people patiently at mealtimes, including those at risk of poor nutrition.
“The chef produced quality home cooked food that people enjoyed.” from the report
Positive leadership culture
The manager was described as open and supportive. Inspectors found a positive and inclusive culture developing at the home, with staff motivated to provide good care.
“Since the registered manager had started in post it was evident they were creating a positive and inclusive culture at the home” from the report
Support with choices
People were supported to have choice and control over their lives. The home involved people in decisions about daily care, activities, outings and menus.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives” from the report
Fire safety
seriousThe fire escape and exit were blocked by equipment, some fire doors did not close properly, and staff lacked practical evacuation training. Personal emergency evacuation plans also missed some important risks.
“The fire escape was made hazardous by equipment left in the lower stairwell next to the fire exit.” from the report
Laundry infection control
seriousThe laundry area was not designed or managed well enough to prevent cross-infection. Inspectors found poor handwashing facilities, mould, a dirty floor and an uncovered waste bin.
“The laundry facilities were not designed or managed effectively to minimise risk of recontamination.” from the report
Care plans lacked detail
needs fixingSome plans did not explain people's dementia, stroke, epilepsy or catheter-related needs in enough personalised detail. This could leave staff without clear guidance on how to respond.
“People's care and support plans did not always demonstrate how the service responded to each individuals differing needs” from the report
Weak quality checks
seriousThe provider's audits did not reliably identify problems or check whether care plans gave useful guidance. This was linked to a breach of the good governance regulation.
“The providers governance systems failed to identify failings and shortfalls impacting on the quality and safety of service provision and outcomes for people.” from the report
Staff training and supervision
needs fixingSome staff could not remember their dementia training, and some needed more practical moving and handling guidance. Supervision was only held three or four times a year.
“Staff received protected and recorded supervision time but these were only carried out 3 or 4 times a year.” from the report
- 01What has been done to clear the lower stairwell and keep the fire exit unblocked?
- 02Have all staff completed practical training in evacuation procedures, fire extinguishers and evacuation equipment?
- 03How have the laundry facilities and procedures been changed to prevent cross-infection?
- 04How are care plans now being checked to make sure they give personalised guidance for dementia, epilepsy, stroke and catheter care?
- 05How often do staff now receive supervision, and what additional dementia and moving and handling training have they received?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, including infection prevention and control; the home was visited on 26 and 27 April 2023. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 July 2023 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 Brook House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- July 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 March 2022.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.