CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 25 Garrads Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from avoidable harm, with enough staff, suitable risk plans and safe recruitment checks. Inspectors identified weaknesses in some medicines stock records and mental capacity assessments.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers were visible, approachable and involved in the service. Audits, clear responsibilities and systems for improving care were in place.
What inspectors found, October 2022
CareTech Community Services Limited - 25 Garrads Road: Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with some medicines and mental capacity records needing improvement.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 07 September 2022. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, family members, managers and staff. Records about care, risks, medicines, recruitment and management were also checked.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and Well-led were both rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable recruitment checks, safe care records, infection control measures and managers who were visible and approachable.
People were supported to make choices, build independence and take part in activities. Staff were described as kind and caring, and care plans were person-centred and up to date.
Inspectors found that some mental capacity assessments needed more detail. Medicines stock records also needed improvement, and the staff team planned to complete newly introduced learning disability training. The manager took immediate action on the records, with progress to be checked at the next planned inspection.
Safe staffing and risk support
Inspectors found enough staff to support people safely, including with activities and appointments. Care records identified risks and explained how staff should support people.
“The service had enough staff, including for one-to-one support for people to take part in the activities of their choice.” from the report
Kind and caring staff
People and relatives gave positive accounts of the staff team. Staff supported people's wellbeing and communicated in ways people could understand.
“A family member told us, "Staff always appear kind and caring, and I trust this is not just when family or friends are in the building, but that this so all the time.” from the report
Visible management
Managers were available and took action when concerns were identified. The home had a clear management structure and carried out several types of audit.
“Management were visible in the service, approachable and took a genuine interest in what people, staff, family and other professionals had to say.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that infection prevention measures, policies and protective equipment were being used effectively.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Mental capacity records
needs fixingSome mental capacity assessments did not contain enough information to clearly explain the decision being made. The manager took immediate action, and inspectors planned to check progress.
“Although staff were well aware of people's care needs, we found that some mental capacity assessments required more information to clearly identify the decision made.” from the report
Medicine stock records
needs fixingAlthough medicine stocks were accurate, larger prescription medicines were not always counted down after administration. The manager took immediate action to address this.
“Although medicine stocks were accurate, we found that the large prescription medicines were not counted down after the administration to monitor the number of the remaining medicines after it's given to people.” from the report
Learning disability training
minorThe staff team planned to complete recently introduced learning disability training. Inspectors said they would check progress at the next planned inspection.
“They planned to complete a training course for learning disabilities which was recently introduced.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to mental capacity assessments since the inspection, and how are they now checked?
- 02How are larger prescription medicines counted after each administration, and how is this checked?
- 03Has the planned learning disability training been completed by staff?
- 04How will the home continue to provide one-to-one support for activities, community access and healthcare appointments?
- 05What infection control arrangements are used during outbreaks or when visitors attend?
This was a focused inspection covering Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings were carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection published on 23 February 2019. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 October 2022 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, February 2019
CareTech Community Services Limited - 25 Garrads Road was rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring support and improved management, with some training and planning still to complete.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 23 January 2019. One inspector reviewed care records, staff files, medicines, quality checks and other documents. They spoke with two people, staff and a relative, and observed how people were supported.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found safe recruitment, medicines management, risk assessments and safeguarding arrangements. People were treated with dignity, supported to make choices and encouraged to be independent.
The report says the home had improved since the previous inspections. A permanent manager and deputy were in place, the staff team was more settled and quality checks were being used to drive improvements.
There were still some actions in progress. Some staff refresher training needed updating, people's end of life wishes had not yet been discussed, and one relative felt one person's activity schedule could be better.
Safe medicines support
Inspectors reviewed three people's medicines records and found them accurately completed. Medicines were stored securely and staff knew how to respond if someone refused them.
“People's medicines were safely managed to ensure people received them at the time they needed them.” from the report
Respectful care
Staff showed kindness and knew people's individual needs, interests and communication methods. People were supported with privacy, dignity, choice and independence.
“Staff demonstrated a caring and thoughtful approach to the ways they supported people.” from the report
Improved leadership
A permanent manager and deputy were in place. Staff and relatives described positive changes, and quality checks were being used to identify and address problems.
“The quality assurance checks in place were thorough in identifying areas for improvement across the service.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's preferences, communication and emotional needs. People were offered activities suited to their development and interests.
“People were supported to undertake a range of activities, that were relevant to their development and in line with their preferences.” from the report
Refresher training
needs fixingThe provider had identified that some staff needed refresher training updates. Inspectors were satisfied that this was progressing but planned to review it at the next inspection.
“some staff required updates in their refresher training.” from the report
End of life wishes
needs fixingThe home had not yet discussed people's end of life preferences. The manager had identified who needed these discussions and planned to complete them in February 2019.
“the provider was yet to discuss people's end of life preferences.” from the report
Activity schedule
minorOne relative felt their family member's activity schedule could be improved. The manager said they would find more suitable activities.
“A relative expressed to us they felt that their family members activity schedule could be improved.” from the report
- 01Have all staff now completed the refresher training that inspectors said needed updating?
- 02Have you discussed and recorded my relative's end of life wishes, and how will these be reviewed?
- 03How would you tailor the activity timetable to my relative's interests, abilities and development?
- 04How many permanent staff vacancies remain, and how often are agency workers used?
- 05How will you continue checking that medicines records and care plans remain accurate?
This was an unannounced inspection of the whole service, including the premises and care provided, and it considered all five CQC areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 February 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 25 Garrads Road
5 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Good.
- October 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2017Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2016InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 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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