CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Down Hall Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks were assessed and monitored, medicines were managed safely, and infection control arrangements were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant induction and training, and people received enough food and drink. The home worked with health and social care professionals and followed the Mental Capacity Act principles.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. They were involved in decisions, supported to remain independent and helped to maintain relationships.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care was exceptionally personalised and flexible. The home offered a wide range of activities, strong community involvement and individualised end of life care.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team was described as visible and approachable. Quality checks, complaints handling and involvement of people, families and staff supported the running of the service.
What inspectors found, April 2020
Down Hall Residential Home was rated Good overall, with Outstanding personalised support and activities, but some staff records were incomplete.
This was the home’s first inspection since it registered. The inspection was unannounced and took place on 11 March 2020. Inspectors spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and visiting professionals. They observed care and checked care files, staff records, medicines and quality checks.
Inspectors found people were safe, treated kindly and supported by trained staff. Medicines were given as prescribed. The home was clean, risks were monitored and there were enough staff. People received suitable food and support with health appointments.
Responsive care was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found care was highly personalised, with strong community links, varied activities and individual end of life support. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were rated Good, meaning the inspectors found consistently good standards in these areas.
Personalised care
Inspectors found that care was tailored closely to people’s needs, personalities, histories and preferences.
“People's care and support was exceptionally individual and tailored to their needs and personalities.” from the report
Community involvement
The home involved people in activities with children, local groups, volunteers and community events. Inspectors said this helped give people purpose and reduce isolation.
“The service was outstanding in its focus on people.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Inspectors saw good relationships and support for privacy, dignity and independence.
“People received person-centred care and had a good rapport and relationship with the staff who supported them.” from the report
End of life care
Care plans recorded people’s wishes and families were involved. Inspectors found end of life care was comfortable, dignified and responsive.
“People were cared for by exceptionally responsive staff at the end of their life.” from the report
Medicines and infection control
Medicines records were completed correctly and staff were trained and checked as competent. The home was clean and had suitable infection control supplies.
“The medicine administration records were completed correctly.” from the report
Incomplete staff records
minorSome required information was missing from the staff files inspectors checked. The manager agreed to audit the files and later confirmed they had been updated.
“However, we noted that not all the required information had been completed in the staff files we looked at.” from the report
Busy lunchtimes
minorPeople and staff generally said staffing was enough, but one staff member said lunchtime could be hectic. Ask how the home manages staffing at this time.
“Lunch time can be a bit hectic though.” from the report
Memory boxes not finished
minorSome memory boxes to help people recognise their rooms were still empty. The home was asking families to help complete them.
“The memory boxes are still a 'work in progress' to ask families to help with creating them.” from the report
- 01What checks have been completed since the inspection to make sure all staff files contain the required information?
- 02How many staff are usually available at lunchtime, and how do you respond if it becomes hectic?
- 03How will you complete the memory boxes, and how can families help?
- 04How are my relative’s personal preferences and end of life wishes recorded and reviewed?
- 05Which activities and community links would be suitable for my relative’s interests and abilities?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five CQC questions, including care, accommodation, staffing, medicines and quality systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 April 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.
Every inspection of Down Hall Residential Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- April 2020Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- March 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 March 2019.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
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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.