CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Dove House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found suitable risk assessments, enough staff, safe medicines systems and good infection control.
- Effective?
- Good
- The report says people's capacity was assessed and staff supported people in line with the Mental Capacity Act. No separate rating was given for Effective.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff knew people well and aimed to provide person-centred care that respected their rights and preferences. No separate rating was given for Caring.
- Responsive?
- Good
- People were supported to access their local community, and relatives were kept informed and could visit without restrictions. No separate rating was given for Responsive.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a positive, open culture, clear management arrangements, regular audits and action plans to monitor improvements.
What inspectors found, February 2024
Rated Good; inspectors found people were safe, supported by caring staff and well-managed systems.
The inspection took place on 21 November 2023. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with all four people living at the home, six relatives and five staff. They also checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and well-led were both rated Good. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines systems, regular risk checks and a clean environment. People were supported to make choices and access their local community.
The home had a positive and open culture. Families could visit without restrictions and were kept informed. Staff and managers worked with health professionals and used audits, feedback and reviews to improve care.
Safety and staffing
There were enough suitable staff, with training to support people with a learning disability. Recruitment checks included references and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
“The provider ensured there were sufficient numbers of suitable staff.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff handling medicines had training and competency checks. Systems were in place to identify and correct errors or stock problems.
“People were supported to receive their medicines safely.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were offered choices and supported in the least restrictive way. Staff and a volunteer helped people take part in local community activities.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives” from the report
Open management
Managers included people and families in care decisions. The home used audits, feedback and action plans to monitor the quality of care.
“There was a positive and open culture at the service.” from the report
Family contact
Relatives could visit without restrictions and were kept informed about people. Relatives were also told about accidents or incidents.
“People were able to receive visitors without restrictions in line with best practice guidance.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure my relative's risk assessments and care records stay up to date when their needs change?
- 02How will you support my relative to make daily choices and take part in activities in the local community?
- 03How do you check that staff remain competent to give medicines, including medicines prescribed to be taken as required?
- 04How will you keep our family informed about accidents, incidents or changes in my relative's care?
- 05What audits and action plans are currently being used to improve the home?
This inspection rated Safe and Well-led only; the report does not give current ratings for Effective, Caring or Responsive, while the overall and Safe and well-led ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 February 2024 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, September 2018
Dove House is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with strong support for choice and independence.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 13 September 2018. One inspector spoke with three people, staff and the manager, observed care, and checked care records, staff recruitment files, training records and quality monitoring systems.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine systems, suitable recruitment checks and good management of risks. People were supported to make choices, keep relationships, access healthcare and take part in activities.
The home provides care without nursing for up to four people with learning disabilities and associated conditions. Four people were living there at the time. The rating remained Good, as it had been at the previous inspection in February 2016.
Safe staffing and risk support
Inspectors found enough staff to support people safely and to help them go out when they wished. Risk assessments aimed to keep people safe while preserving choice and independence.
“Risks to people were identified and managed in a way that supported people to take reasonable risks; to promote their independence.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to choose how they spent their day, what they ate and which activities they took part in. Staff respected people's decisions when they changed their minds.
“Everyone has a right to change their mind.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People appeared relaxed with staff who knew them well. Inspectors saw friendly interactions and support for dignity, appearance, communication and family relationships.
“We saw that staff spent time chatting with people in an informal and friendly environment.” from the report
Accessible communication
The home used pictures, signs, gestures and objects of reference to help people understand information and express their choices.
“Pictures and objects of reference were used to support people in meal planning and choosing activities of interest.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The manager and provider used regular audits, feedback and action plans to check the service and address improvements.
“Quality audits were undertaken each month by the registered manager.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and update my relative's individual risks while still supporting their independence?
- 02How would you communicate with my relative if they use particular words, pictures, signs or gestures?
- 03How are medicines checked, recorded and reviewed for each person?
- 04How would you support my relative to choose activities, change their mind and stay in contact with family?
- 05How are care plans reviewed with people and their representatives, and how are any concerns or complaints followed up?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection of the care and premises, covering all five CQC questions; the previous inspection in February 2016 had also rated the service Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 September 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 Dove House
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2024Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 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.
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62 live-in carers within about an hour of Derbyshire
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 £1,010 to £1,260 a week. 51 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Ernest is an amazing professional carer who delivers care from the heart.”
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.