CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Burley Heights
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Staff understood safeguarding and risk management, and staffing levels were considered sufficient. However, protocols were not always in place to guide staff when giving medicines prescribed 'as required'.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had suitable support plans, trained staff and access to health professionals. Records of decisions made in people's best interests needed improvement.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors saw people treated with respect and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Staff supported communication, dignity and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and adjusted to people's changing needs. People had daily access to the local community and activities suited to their interests.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team used audits, feedback and incident reviews to monitor and improve the service. Staff said they felt supported and able to raise concerns.
What inspectors found, April 2019
Burley Heights is rated Good; inspectors found kind, person-centred care, with some records and as-needed medicines guidance needing improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 13 March 2019. One inspector reviewed care, staffing, medicines, training and management records, and spoke with one person, two relatives and staff. Feedback was also sought from other professionals.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were protected from abuse, supported by trained staff and treated with dignity and respect.
The home supported seven people with autism. Staff promoted choice, independence and community access. Support plans were personalised, and the home worked with other health and care professionals.
There were some areas to improve. Records of best interest decisions were not detailed enough, and protocols were not always in place for medicines given 'as required'. Some parts of the building also needed redecoration and furniture replacement.
Building independence
The home helped people develop skills and make choices, while supporting them to do as much as possible for themselves.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Safeguarding
Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse, and felt confident that managers would act on concerns.
“Staff knew how to safeguard people from abuse and were confident any concerns they may have would be addressed by the management team.” from the report
Respectful care
Inspectors saw staff taking time to communicate with people and treating them with respect.
“We observed staff treating people with respect, they took time to ensure people fully understood any questions asked and had time to think and respond.” from the report
Community access
People were supported to take part in activities and go out into the community, including places linked to their interests.
“People had daily access the local community. We saw one person going to the train station as they liked to go there” from the report
As-needed medicines
needs fixingStaff did not always have written protocols explaining when to give medicines prescribed 'as required'. The manager said this would be addressed.
“Where people had medicines prescribed 'as required' staff did not always have protocols in place to guide them as to when to administer the medicines.” from the report
Best interest records
needs fixingStaff made best interest decisions and consulted relevant people, but the records did not properly show this. Inspectors recommended improving the documentation.
“We found however that whilst staff made decisions in the best interests of people and consulted with relevant others, record keeping in this area required improvement.” from the report
Environment
minorSome areas needed redecoration and furniture replacement. The provider showed inspectors an environmental improvement plan.
“Some areas of the building required redecoration and replacement of furniture.” from the report
- 01What written protocols are now in place for each person's medicines prescribed 'as required'?
- 02How do you record best interest decisions, including who was consulted and why the decision was necessary?
- 03Which areas of the building needed redecoration or new furniture, and has the environmental improvement plan been completed?
- 04How will you support my relative to build independence and access activities in the local community?
- 05How do you check that support plans and risk assessments remain up to date when people's needs change?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering the premises and care provided, with all five CQC questions rated Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 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 Burley Heights
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- April 2019Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 November 2017.
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 Staffordshire
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 £1,230 a week. 85 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.