CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Cavendish House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place, including safe use of personal protective equipment, social distancing, hygiene and arrangements for visitors and admissions.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed as a separate rated question, although inspectors described management oversight, policies and contingency plans for infection control.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Cavendish House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 26 August 2020. It looked only at infection prevention and control as part of CQC's coronavirus review.
Inspectors found enough personal protective equipment, suitable arrangements for changing it, and measures to reduce cross-infection. They were assured that visitors, new admissions, social distancing, shielding, hygiene and the layout of the home were being managed safely.
People were involved in learning about COVID-19 and infection control. They were supported to meet families outside the home while keeping a safe distance. The home had risk assessments, policies and contingency plans in place.
The overall service and the Safe question were recorded as inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give the home a Good, Requires improvement or another quality rating.
Infection control leadership
The management team was described as leading by example and working with staff to reduce the risk from COVID-19. There had been no COVID-19 outbreak in the home.
“The management team led by example and worked as part of the team to combat Covid 19.” from the report
Personal protective equipment
There was enough personal protective equipment and staff were using it properly. The home also had a separate area for changing it to help prevent cross-contamination.
“There was enough PPE for staff to use and this was worn appropriately.” from the report
Involving people
People were involved in discussions and learning about COVID-19, food hygiene and infection control. Easy-read information and pictures were available around the home.
“People were fully involved in discussions about Covid 19 and its effects, prevention, spread and control.” from the report
Risk planning
Detailed risk assessments considered people's and staff's characteristics and circumstances. The home also had policies, procedures and contingency plans.
“Detailed risk assessments had been carried out for people who used the service and staff.” from the report
Further development suggested
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its infection control approach. The report does not explain what specific improvement was needed.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What infection control changes have been made since the inspection on 26 August 2020?
- 02How are staff currently trained and checked on the safe use of personal protective equipment?
- 03How are visits from families arranged, and how are social distancing and infection risks managed?
- 04How are people's individual infection risks recorded and reviewed in their risk assessments?
- 05What resources or advice did the home use after inspectors signposted the provider to develop its approach?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not provide ratings for the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 September 2020 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 2018
Cavendish House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with no serious concerns.
This was an announced, comprehensive inspection on 21 September 2018. The inspector met all six people living in the home, spoke with three of them and one relative, and observed care. Records, staff recruitment, training and management checks were also reviewed.
The home supports up to six people with learning disabilities and/or autism. It does not provide nursing care. Inspectors found that people were safe, their medicines were managed properly, staff were trained, and health and food needs were met.
People had positive relationships with staff and were supported to make choices, keep their independence and take part in activities. Care plans reflected individual needs, and complaints were investigated. The home had audits and acted when improvements were needed.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The rating was unchanged from the previous inspection on 11 November 2015.
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's individual needs, communication styles, routines and preferences. The home also adapted a person's bedroom to make a move less stressful.
“People's care records demonstrated that they continued to receive care which was tailor made to their individual needs.” from the report
Choice and independence
People could make choices about their daily lives, meals, activities and personal space. They were supported to develop independence skills.
“People told us that they made choices about their daily lives and the staff acted in accordance with their wishes.” from the report
Positive relationships
Inspectors saw a relaxed atmosphere and found that staff knew people well. Staff used people's preferred ways of communicating.
“There was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the service and people and staff clearly shared positive relationships.” from the report
Community activities
People took part in activities they chose, including community outings, voluntary work, holidays and regular social events.
“People told us that they had the opportunity to participate in activities that were meaningful and that they chose.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home used audits, incident reviews, meetings and feedback to monitor care. Inspectors found that action was taken when shortfalls were identified.
“There continues to be a programme of audits which were used to monitor the service provided.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you meet the person's specific communication needs, and what training would their support staff receive?
- 02What support would be provided if the person showed behaviour that might put themselves or others at risk?
- 03Which activities and community opportunities could the person choose from, including work, holidays or social events?
- 04How would you support the person's health appointments, health passport and ongoing health needs?
- 05How would you involve the person and their family in care planning, reviews and decisions about daily routines?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions and the overall quality of the home; the report also compared the findings with the previous inspection in 2015. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 October 2018 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 Cavendish House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 October 2012.
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
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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.