CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Cross Keys
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, December 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a minor improvement needed to make some care plans easier for people to understand.
Inspectors visited the home without warning on 6 October 2017. They spoke with people living there, staff, the registered manager and health and social care professionals. They observed care, checked the building and reviewed care, staff and management records.
The home supported up to nine people with learning disabilities, and eight people were living there at the inspection. Inspectors found people felt safe, staff were kind and respectful, and care was based on people's needs, choices and goals.
Staffing, recruitment, training, medicines, food, health support and record keeping were found to be good. People were supported to make choices, stay in contact with family and friends, use local services and take part in activities.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was rated Good overall, the same as at the previous inspection in June 2015.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe, and staff understood how to recognise and report abuse. Risks were reviewed and actions were taken after an incident.
“People told us they felt safe living at Cross Keys and with the staff who supported them.” from the report
Kind relationships
Staff had caring relationships with people and treated them with respect. Inspectors saw a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
“We observed people had good relationships with staff and staff interacted with people in a kind and respectful manner.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people well and supported their individual choices, routines, communication styles and goals. People were helped to be independent and involved in their communities.
“Care records were up to date, had been regularly reviewed, and accurately reflected people's care and support needs.” from the report
Good staff support
There were enough staff, with recruitment checks, induction, training and supervision in place. Staff said the training gave them confidence.
“There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff on duty and staffing levels were adjusted to meet people's changing needs and wishes.” from the report
Strong management
The home had a stable team, regular meetings and audits covering areas such as medicines, care plans, safety and complaints. People and families were asked for their views.
“There were effective quality assurance systems in place to make sure that any areas for improvement were identified and addressed.” from the report
Some care plans were not visual
minorCare plans were accurate and up to date, but they were written only. The manager accepted that some people might understand them better if they included more visual information.
“The registered manager acknowledged that care plans were currently presented in a written version only” from the report
- 01How have you changed care plans to include more visual information for people who need it?
- 02How will you support my relative to set and work towards their own goals, such as activities, work or holidays?
- 03What training do staff have for my relative's specific health needs or any behaviour that may challenge others?
- 04How will you involve my relative, family and any advocate in decisions about care and best interests?
- 05How are medicines, finances, accidents, complaints and care records checked and followed up?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five quality areas; inspectors reviewed two people's care records and some people were unable to speak with them because of their health conditions. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 December 2017 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 Cross Keys
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2017Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 August 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.
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10 live-in carers within about two hours of Cornwall
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 £1,200 a week. 8 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“He had been a little anxious before she arrived, but has since stated that he would be very happy for her to care for him again”
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.