CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Dolphin Lane
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing and managing infection risks. This included visitor checks, safe admissions, PPE, testing, hygiene, outbreak planning and an up-to-date infection control policy.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were keeping people safe.
The inspection took place on 30 November 2020. It was announced and focused only on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found good practice. Visitors completed a COVID-19 risk assessment and declaration, had their temperature checked, and staff had checks to confirm they could use personal protective equipment safely.
The home used easy-read information and meetings to explain COVID-19 and lockdowns to people. Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, admissions, testing, hygiene, protective equipment and possible outbreaks safely.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall rating or ratings for the wider quality of care.
Visitor safety checks
Visitors had to complete a COVID-19 risk assessment and declaration before entering. Their temperature was also checked.
“Visitors had to sign a COVID-19 risk assessment and declaration before entering the building and had their temperature checked on entry.” from the report
PPE checks
The home checked that staff knew how to put on and remove protective equipment safely.
“The home completed PPE competency checks on all staff to ensure they were competent in donning and doffing PPE.” from the report
Clear information
Easy-read information was displayed to explain the latest lockdown and what it meant for people living at the home.
“There was easy read information prominently displayed which had been written to help explain the most recent lockdown and what it meant for people living at the service.” from the report
Reducing anxiety
Staff used easy-read materials and meetings to help people understand COVID-19 and reduce their worries.
“Staff used easy read materials and meetings to discuss COVID-19 and reduce anxieties around COVID-19, with people who used the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What is the home's latest full CQC rating, as this inspection was not rated?
- 02What infection prevention and control arrangements are currently used for visitors?
- 03How are staff currently checked to make sure they use PPE safely?
- 04How does the home explain changes to visiting, lockdown rules or COVID-19 arrangements to people living there?
- 05What arrangements are in place to manage a possible infection outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the wider quality of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 December 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
Overall Outstanding; inspectors found safe, kind care with especially strong support for people's goals, independence and community life.
This was an unannounced inspection on 17 August 2018, followed by an announced visit on 20 August 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives and staff. They reviewed care plans, medicines records, risk assessments, safety checks and quality records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective and Caring. Inspectors found enough safely recruited staff, suitable training, safe medicines support, appropriate risk checks and kind, respectful care. People were supported to make choices, stay independent and maintain their health.
The home was rated Outstanding for Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found very personalised care, strong support for people's hopes and ambitions, meaningful community links and a positive leadership culture. The overall rating improved from Good at the previous inspection in December 2015.
Personal goals
People were supported to pursue activities, education, employment, relationships and new skills linked to what they wanted from life.
“People were supported to lead enriched and fulfilling lives, with activities that matched their 'hopes and dreams' alongside support to gain employment, develop relationships and learn new skills.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans described people's preferences and communication needs in detail. They were reviewed with people and updated as their skills and needs changed.
“Care plans provided highly detailed and personalised information with clear guidelines for staff to support people in important aspects of their lives.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives were very positive about staff. Inspectors observed patient, attentive interactions and support that promoted privacy, dignity and independence.
“People and their relatives were universally positive about staff's care and compassion.” from the report
Strong leadership
The home had an open culture, positive staff involvement and clear quality checks. Inspectors found a clear vision for its future development.
“There was a clear vision for the future of the service, with the aim being that Dolphin Lane staff would provide an outreach service to people who they had been able to transition to live in the community.” from the report
Size of the home
minorInspectors said the home did not fully meet guidance about the number of people accommodated. They considered this partly addressed by the plan to develop an outreach service and support people to move into the community where appropriate.
“Although the service did not meet these principles in terms of the number of people it accommodated, this was mitigated by the fact that there was a vision for the long term development of the service.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made with the plan to provide an outreach service for people who want to live in the community?
- 02How will you assess and support my relative to manage their own medicines safely?
- 03How will my relative's care plan record their communication needs, preferences and personal goals?
- 04What activities, education or employment opportunities could be arranged around my relative's hopes and interests?
- 05How would my relative and our family make a complaint, and can information be provided in an easy-read format?
This was a full inspection covering all five CQC questions, the premises and the care provided; it was unannounced on 17 August and announced on 20 August 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 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 Dolphin Lane
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Leeds
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 £1,250 a week. 89 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“Took his time to learn about me read my care plan and to listen to me. great companionship with lots of laughing.”
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.