CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 30 Milton Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe. Risks were assessed, staff knew how to report abuse, staffing checks were completed and medicines were managed safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care plans were detailed and reflected people’s choices. Staff worked with health professionals and supported people to improve their health, independence and wellbeing.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as kind, respectful and supportive. People were involved in decisions about their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support was personalised and regularly reviewed. People had opportunities for college, work experience, community activities and leisure, while quieter spaces were available for those who preferred them.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a clear management structure, a supportive culture and effective quality checks. Some relatives wanted more written information about transitions and staff changes.
What inspectors found, July 2019
Cambian Asperger Syndrome Services Limited - 30 Milton Road was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care that supported independence.
Inspectors visited on 5 and 6 June 2019. The first day was unannounced. They spoke with five people, four relatives and staff, observed care and checked care, medicine, staffing, training and quality records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and comfortable. Relatives praised the staff’s kindness, communication and professionalism.
The home supported people with autism and learning disabilities to make choices, build skills and become more independent. Staff worked with health professionals, managed medicines safely and adapted support to people’s needs.
The overall Good rating means inspectors found consistently good care and management at the time of this inspection. The rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, published in December 2016.
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives said staff knew them well and provided care with kindness, patience, respect and dignity.
“People told us they were happy and comfortable living at 30 Milton Road.” from the report
Building independence
The home helped people develop daily living skills, confidence and independence through personalised goals and activities.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Safe care and medicines
Risks were assessed and managed. Staff were trained to give medicines, and records included allergies and photographs to help identify the right person.
“Medicines were managed, stored and administered safely.” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked closely with health professionals and other services to provide coordinated support and respond to changing needs.
“The service worked collaboratively and closely with external health care professionals and specialists.” from the report
Strong management and checks
Inspectors found approachable leadership, regular meetings and quality checks designed to identify learning and improve care.
“There were robust quality assurance systems in place to drive improvement and ensure the home offered a safe, effective, caring and responsive service.” from the report
Size of the home
minorThe home was registered for eight people and did not originally match later guidance that favoured smaller numbers of people living together. Inspectors said the manager and staff understood the guidance and applied its values as far as possible.
“30 Milton Road had not originally been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance.” from the report
Specialised staff training
needs fixingSome staff wanted specialised training. This had been requested but had not yet been delivered when inspectors visited.
“Some staff commented they would like specialised training and this had been requested but had not yet been delivered.” from the report
Written updates for relatives
minorSome relatives wanted more written communication about transitions between services and staff changes. The manager said this would be addressed.
“Some relatives commented they would prefer more written communication about certain subjects such as when students transition between services and being informed about staff changes within Milton Road.” from the report
- 01Has the specialised training requested by staff now been completed, and what training is planned for staff supporting my relative?
- 02How will my relative’s views be used when setting and reviewing goals for independence?
- 03How will you keep families informed in writing about staff changes and transitions between services?
- 04How do you make sure there are enough familiar staff on every shift, including at night?
- 05How are risks managed while still allowing people to make choices and take part in activities outside the home?
This was a planned inspection covering all five key questions, including the care provided and the premises; the first day was unannounced. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 July 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, December 2016
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and well-managed support, with people encouraged to build independence.
The inspection took place on 17 and 18 October 2016. It was unannounced on the first day and announced on the second. The inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and managers, observed care, and checked care files, medicines, staff records, complaints and quality checks.
Inspectors found all five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. They found enough staff, safe medicines systems, suitable risk assessments and staff who understood people's needs. People were involved in their care, daily activities, meal planning and decisions about how they lived.
The home supported people to develop life skills and independence, access health care and take part in activities in the community. People and relatives said the staff were caring and the management was approachable. The home had systems for complaints and feedback, and inspectors found no outstanding complaints.
Safe risk management
The home used detailed risk assessments and emergency plans while still supporting people to make choices and take positive risks.
“Milton Road had comprehensive risk management systems in place.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicines were securely stored and records showed no gaps. People were also supported to manage their own medicines where this was safe.
“Medicines were managed safely, securely stored, correctly recorded and only administered by staff that were trained to give medicines.” from the report
Independence and life skills
People were supported to cook, manage household tasks, travel and work towards personal goals.
“Staff support me to be independent and learn new skills. My next goal is to travel independently” from the report
Caring relationships
Inspectors saw relaxed and positive interactions. People and relatives said staff knew them well and treated them with care and respect.
“People were supported by staff that used person centred approaches to deliver the care and support they provided.” from the report
Responsive support
Support plans included personalised strategies for changing needs and behaviour. Staff responded promptly when people needed help.
“Milton Road was responsive to people's changing care and support needs.” from the report
Good leadership
The management encouraged people and staff to share ideas and take responsibility. Audits, meetings and feedback were used to monitor and improve the home.
“The registered manager demonstrated good leadership and management by empowering people and staff to be actively involved in the running of Milton Road.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01Is the home still operating as a 38-week service, and how are school holiday arrangements managed now?
- 02How many staff are normally on duty, and how often are agency staff used?
- 03How are current risk assessments and behaviour support plans reviewed with each person and their family?
- 04How are people supported to manage their own medicines, and what checks are in place?
- 05What recent changes have been made in response to people's feedback or complaints?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 December 2016 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 30 Milton Road
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 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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37 live-in carers within about an hour of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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 £1,000 to £1,340 a week. 26 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“We could not have managed without her calm, reassuring presence and practical knowledge and skill in caring and supporting both my husband and the family and I.”
“I cannot recommend Prisca highly enough, she is one in a million.”
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.