CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Cambian Dilston College
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and managed, medicines were handled safely, and there were enough staff. The home used some agency staff to cover vacancies.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed more robustly before they used the home. Staff were trained, supported people with food and healthcare, and worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused visit, so the report does not give a current rating for it.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused visit, so the report does not give a current rating for it.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found that quality checks and management arrangements had improved. Relatives and professionals described the home as well run, organised and more stable.
What inspectors found, March 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, effective and well-led care, with improvements since the previous inspection.
The home provides education, accommodation and personal care for young people aged 16 to 25 with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and complex needs. There were 9 young people receiving care and accommodation during the inspection.
This was an unannounced focused inspection. Inspectors spoke with relatives and staff, observed support, and checked care records, medicines records, recruitment files and management records.
Inspectors rated Safe, Effective and Well-led as Good. They found improvements in risk management, assessments before people moved in, staff support and the way the home was managed. The overall rating changed from Requires Improvement to Good.
Staff understand people
Staff knew people well and understood how each person communicated. Relatives said staff knew how to support their family members safely.
“Staff knew people well and knew the most effective ways to communicate with each person.” from the report
Improved assessments
The home strengthened its assessment process before people moved in. An entry panel helped decide whether the home could meet each person's needs.
“There had been significant improvements to the assessment process which was now managed by an entry panel.” from the report
Skilled support
Staff received training relevant to their roles, including training in autism and supporting distressed behaviour. Specialist professionals were also available at the home.
“The provider made sure staff received appropriate training relevant to their role.” from the report
Better management
The report found stronger governance and more stable leadership. Quality systems were now identifying improvements.
“The management team and governance arrangements had been strengthened over the past year.” from the report
Vacancies covered by agency staff
minorThe home used agency staff to cover vacancies, although it tried to use consistent agency workers who knew the young people.
“This included use of agency staff to cover vacancies. The provider endeavoured to use consistent agency staff who were familiar with people.” from the report
- 01How often will agency staff be used, and how do you make sure they know my relative's needs?
- 02How will you involve us in assessments before my relative moves in?
- 03What training do staff supporting my relative's autism and distressed behaviour receive?
- 04How will you keep us informed about care, concerns and changes in management?
- 05What current feedback do you have about the Caring and Responsive aspects of the service, which were not assessed in this inspection?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led only; Caring and Responsive were not inspected in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 March 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.
What inspectors found, October 2021
Cambian Dilston College was rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found caring and personalised support, but safety, staffing and management systems needed improvement.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 11, 17 and 19 August 2021. Inspectors spoke with relatives, staff and professionals, used a communication tool with two young people, and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home supported young people aged 16 to 25 with learning disabilities and/or autism. People appeared happy and relaxed with staff. Inspectors found personalised care, support for independence, good communication with relatives and activities in the community.
However, fire safety checks and some building repairs were not always kept up to date. There were many staff vacancies and heavy use of agency staff. Professionals also raised concerns about whether some placements were suitable for the home's ability to meet people's complex needs.
The overall rating fell from Good to Requires Improvement. The home breached Regulation 17 on good governance. The caring question was not inspected, so its previous rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
Personalised support
Care was planned around each young person's needs, preferences and communication style. People were supported to build independence and take part in learning and community activities.
“Support was planned around people's individual needs. Care records were highly personalised and detailed.” from the report
Positive relationships
People appeared happy and relaxed with staff. Relatives described staff as supportive and said they understood the young people's individual ways of communicating.
“People appeared happy and relaxed with staff.” from the report
Family communication
Relatives said communication with the home had improved. Young people were supported to keep in touch by phone, Skype and visits.
“Relatives said they had good communication with the college and that someone always got back to them if they were not available.” from the report
Support with least restriction
Staff understood that restraint should be a last resort. The home used positive behavioural support and had detailed guidance for keeping people safe.
“Staff confirmed that any restraint was an absolute 'last resort' to keep young people or others safe.” from the report
Fire and premises safety
seriousFire safety equipment and systems were not always checked or maintained at the required times. Some areas also needed cleaning, repair and attention.
“Firefighting equipment, fire alarm system, fire doors and emergency lighting were not always maintained or inspected at the required intervals.” from the report
Staff vacancies and agency use
needs fixingThere were many staff vacancies and significant use of agency workers. Relatives and professionals said this reduced continuity and opportunities to work consistently with staff.
“There was a very high number of staff vacancies. Staffing levels were achieved using agency staff, some of whom worked continuously and exclusively at the college.” from the report
Weak quality monitoring
seriousThe provider's governance systems did not reliably identify or resolve building problems. The same premises concerns appeared in monthly audits for several months.
“The provider's quality assurance systems were not robust. Governance systems had not always identified premises shortfalls.” from the report
Staff support and agency induction
needs fixingSome staff felt exhausted by long shifts and complex work. Inspectors could not confirm that regular agency staff received induction and supervision.
“It was not evident if regular agency staff received induction training and supervision despite supporting people with complex care and support.” from the report
- 01Have all fire safety checks, repairs and maintenance problems identified at the inspection now been completed?
- 02How many permanent care staff currently work at the home, and how often are agency staff used?
- 03What induction, training and supervision do regular agency staff receive before supporting young people with complex needs?
- 04How do you assess whether the home can safely meet a young person's needs before accepting a placement?
- 05What progress has been made on the action plan for the Regulation 17 breach, and what evidence can you show us?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led; Caring was not inspected and its previous rating was carried forward. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 October 2021 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 Cambian Dilston College
4 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2023Goodcurrent ratingup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2021Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 June 2014.
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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23 live-in carers within about an hour of Northumberland
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 £950 to £1,190 a week. 20 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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.