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CQC report explained · a residential care home

What the CQC found at Cavendish Residential Care Homes Limited

Requires improvementpublished 12 May 2026, 4 months ago

Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.

The latest report, explained

What inspectors found, April 2021

Cavendish Residential Care Homes Limited: inspectors found good infection control arrangements, but the service was inspected and not rated.

This was an announced, targeted inspection on 18 March 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inspectors were assured that the home managed visitors, social distancing, admissions, protective equipment, testing, hygiene and possible outbreaks safely. They also found the infection control policy was up to date.

The home had introduced electronic signing in and out, adapted communal areas and provided infection control training. Staff testing records had also been brought together in one central system.

The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report gives findings about infection control, rather than an overall quality rating.

What inspectors praised
  • Visitor safety

    The home managed arrivals and departures to reduce contact between visitors, staff and residents. It had also introduced electronic signing in and out.

    “The arrival and departure of visitors was managed to ensure minimum risk of contact with staff and people who lived in the home.” from the report
  • Testing arrangements

    Staff testing and recording had been streamlined, with results recorded centrally and promptly. All staff agreed to take part in the testing programme.

    “The system for staff testing and recording had been streamlined to improve efficiency and to ensure that all results were recorded centrally and in a timely manner.” from the report
  • Infection control training

    Records showed that staff had received recent infection prevention and control training. The home's infection control policy was also up to date.

    “Training records evidenced that staff received recent IPC training.” from the report
  • Managing the environment

    Staff rearranged communal areas to maintain safe distances and used the available space creatively for protective equipment stations.

    “Staff made the best use of communal areas, by altering the layout of furniture to ensure a safe distance was maintained.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about

Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.

Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How are visitors currently signed in and out, and how do you reduce contact between visitors, staff and residents?
  2. 02How are staff and residents tested now, and how are test results recorded?
  3. 03What infection prevention and control training have staff received since this inspection?
  4. 04How would you manage a COVID-19 outbreak, and how would you keep families informed?
  5. 05How do you support residents with hearing difficulties to understand infection control guidance?

This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 April 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.

An earlier report, explained

What inspectors found, March 2018

Cavendish Residential Care Homes Limited is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care across all five areas.

Inspectors visited without warning on 29 January 2018. They spoke with 10 people living there, eight relatives and friends, and five care staff. They also observed care and checked care plans, recruitment files, staffing records and management records.

The home was supporting 19 people, with space for up to 21. Inspectors found people were protected from abuse and avoidable risks. There were enough staff, medicines were managed safely, and staff received training and supervision. Food, healthcare support and infection control were also found to be effective.

People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Their care plans reflected their wishes and needs, and they were offered activities and choices. The home had a complaints process and quality checks. All five ratings were Good, the same as at the previous inspection in June 2015.

What inspectors praised
  • People felt safe

    People and relatives told inspectors they felt safe. Staff understood how to recognise and respond to abuse, and risk assessments covered areas such as falls, choking and medicines.

    “Risk assessments were in place to support people to be as independent as possible, balancing protecting people with supporting them to maintain their freedom.” from the report
  • Kind and respectful care

    Inspectors saw staff taking time to listen, reassure people and protect their dignity. People were supported to make choices and remain as independent as possible.

    “Throughout the day, there was a calm and relaxed atmosphere around the service and no one was rushed or hurried.” from the report
  • Good support with food and health

    People had a choice of home-cooked food and were supported to eat and drink enough. Staff worked with health professionals and made referrals when needed.

    “They were supported to have sufficient amounts to eat and drink and to maintain a balanced diet.” from the report
  • Personalised activities

    The home offered daily one-to-one and group activities, based on people's interests. It also arranged activities outside the home and unusual events.

    “One to one sessions and group activities were held every day.” from the report
  • Open management

    The registered manager was visible and experienced. Staff, people and relatives were asked for their views, and the home used audits and meetings to review its work.

    “The leadership, governance and culture of the service promoted the delivery of high quality, person-centred care.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about

Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.

Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How will you assess and review my relative's risks, including falls, choking, nutrition, skin condition and medicines?
  2. 02How many staff will usually be available on each shift, and will my relative be supported by staff who know them well?
  3. 03How will you record and review my relative's food and drink needs if their appetite or weight changes?
  4. 04What activities are available that match my relative's interests, and how will you support them to take part?
  5. 05How will you involve my relative and our family in care plan reviews and decisions about end of life wishes?

This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, including the premises and care provided, and all five CQC questions were assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 March 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.

The story over the years

Every inspection of Cavendish Residential Care Homes Limited

2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.

  1. April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent rating
    Safe: Inspected but not rated

    Read what inspectors found at Cavendish Residential Care Homes Limited →

  2. March 2018Goodstayed Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read what inspectors found at Cavendish Residential Care Homes Limited →

  3. July 2015Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  4. October 2013

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  5. December 2012

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  6. August 2011

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  7. December 2010

    Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 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.

Next steps

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