CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Colin Garden Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, personalised risk assessments, safe recruitment and safe medicines procedures. Infection prevention measures were also in place, including cleaning, PPE and arrangements for visits.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had personalised care plans, staff received relevant training, and people were supported with food, healthy lifestyles and healthcare. The home was following the Mental Capacity Act and making lawful referrals where needed.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. The report says there were no identified concerns in this area and an earlier rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this visit. The report says there were no identified concerns in this area and an earlier rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a positive culture, clear roles, staff support and quality checks. The manager had identified further improvements and submitted an action plan.
What inspectors found, August 2021
Colin Garden Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found safe, personalised care, with regular staff supervision records needing improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 24 June 2021. Inspectors spoke with both people living in the home, four staff members and two relatives. They also observed care and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective and Well-led were each rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable risk assessments, safe medicines systems and infection control measures. People were supported to make choices, eat and drink well, access healthcare and live as independently as possible.
The home had a stable staff team and a positive atmosphere. Staff understood people's needs and relatives gave positive feedback. Inspectors did note that they had not seen records of regular staff supervision, although staff said they felt supported and the manager showed a plan to introduce regular supervisions.
This inspection did not examine Caring or Responsive. The report says the previous ratings for those areas were used when calculating the overall rating. The overall rating remained Good, the same as at the previous inspection published in November 2018.
Stable, knowledgeable staff
The home had a consistent team who knew people well. Inspectors saw staff spending time with people without being rushed.
“The service had a consistent staff team who knew people well and understood how best to support them.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored securely and records were complete. Staff had training and competency checks, with daily stock checks.
“Medicines administration records were clear and had no gaps.” from the report
People had choice
People were involved in decisions about their care, food and daily lives. Staff supported people to be as independent as possible.
“People were comfortable to express their views and make choices in their day to day lives.” from the report
Positive management
Inspectors found an open and supportive atmosphere. Staff felt listened to, and the home used audits and meetings to review its work.
“There was a positive culture within the service, which empowered people and staff.” from the report
Support for health
People were supported to attend a range of healthcare appointments. Care plans included guidance about areas such as foot care, eye care and oral health.
“Records showed appointments with the GP, optician, dentist, podiatrist and psychiatrist.” from the report
Supervision records
needs fixingInspectors did not see records showing that staff had received regular supervision. The manager had a plan to introduce regular supervisions, and staff said they felt supported.
“Although we did not see records of regular supervisions, staff told us they felt fully supported by the manager.” from the report
- 01How are regular staff supervisions now carried out and recorded?
- 02What further improvements were included in the action plan, and have they been completed?
- 03How are people's risk assessments reviewed when their needs or behaviour change?
- 04How do you check that medicines remain safe and that stock matches the records?
- 05How are people supported to make choices about food, healthcare, activities and visits?
This was a planned, focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings were used in calculating the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 August 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.
What inspectors found, November 2018
Colin Garden Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, but some care plans were not up to date.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 28 September 2018. The inspector spoke with all three people living at the home, two staff members and the registered manager. They also observed care, checked the premises and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment, staffing, incident and quality records. Feedback was also received from relatives and community professionals.
Inspectors found people were treated with kindness and respect. Staff understood people's needs and communication, supported their independence and helped them keep relationships, follow their faiths and take part in activities. Medicines, health care, food, staffing, infection control and the premises were managed safely.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection in January 2016. Inspectors said the evidence continued to support this rating and found no serious risks or concerns.
Kind relationships
People, relatives and professionals described staff as caring and supportive. Inspectors saw warm, friendly interactions and found that consistent staffing helped build trust.
“There were positive relationships between people and members of staff.” from the report
Safe support
Individual risks were assessed and managed in a way that balanced safety with independence. Medicines, staffing, fire safety and infection control were also checked and found to be managed well.
“Risks to people were managed appropriately, balancing people's autonomy with safety.” from the report
Choice and activities
People were supported to make decisions about daily life, maintain relationships and take part in activities at home and in the community.
“The service supported people to follow their interests.” from the report
Good oversight
The manager and provider used audits, staff meetings and feedback to check the quality of support and identify improvements.
“Quality assurance systems were in place to help drive improvements at the service.” from the report
Care plans not fully current
needs fixingOne care plan had not been reviewed in line with the home's six-monthly expectation and did not include newer dental advice. Another did not record changed evening support, although staff were providing that support in practice.
“One person's care plan was dated October 2017, and so had not been reviewed and updated in line with the provider's six-monthly policy expectation.” from the report
- 01How have you updated the care plans that were not reviewed on time?
- 02How do you make sure care plans are changed promptly when a person's needs or professional advice changes?
- 03How are people involved in choosing new community activities and deciding which activities to continue?
- 04How do you arrange extra staff support when a person's needs require it?
- 05How do you make sure people's communication needs and preferences are understood by all staff?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions; the provider could not complete its information return because of technical problems, so inspectors used other evidence. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 November 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 Colin Garden Lodge
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 April 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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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 £980 to £1,300 a week. 83 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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