CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Elmdene
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Risks to people’s physical and mental health were assessed, with plans for staff to follow. Medicines, staffing, infection control and the environment were found to be managed safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- People’s needs were assessed and staff had relevant training, supervision and support. People had access to food, healthcare and support from other health and social care services.
- Caring?
- Good
- People said staff were kind and respectful. People were involved in planning their support, and staff respected their privacy, dignity, choices and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support plans reflected people’s needs and goals. People were supported with activities, training, employment and moving towards independent living, and complaints were investigated.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Staff felt supported and involved in running the home. The provider used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor quality and worked with other organisations.
What inspectors found, April 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and effective support, with improvements in staff checks since the last inspection.
This was an unannounced inspection on 8 March 2018. Inspectors spoke with four people, staff and managers. They observed care, checked four care records, one medicines record, three staff files and the home’s quality checks.
The home supported five adults with mental health problems. Inspectors found that people were safe, involved in their care and treated with dignity. Staff supported people to build daily living skills, find meaningful work and move towards more independent living.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection also rated the home Good. A problem with recruitment checks found in 2015 had been fixed.
Improved recruitment checks
The home had acted on the concern from the previous inspection. Staff files showed checks of employment history, references, criminal records, identity and the right to work.
“At this inspection, we found that staff recruited to work at the service were suitable to do so.” from the report
Support for independence
People were supported to develop practical skills and work towards independent living. This included cooking, managing money, training, voluntary work and paid employment.
“People were supported to learn new skills, develop their interest, become independent; and move-on to independent living.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People told inspectors that staff were kind and respectful. Staff supported privacy and dignity and involved people in decisions about their care.
“All the people we spoke with told us that staff respected them and were kind to them.” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked with mental health and other health and social care services. Inspectors found that this helped coordinate people’s support and treatment.
“The provider and staff continued to work in partnership with other health and social care professionals; and commissioning authorities to ensure people received good quality care and support.” from the report
No registered manager in post
minorThere was no registered manager when inspectors visited. The provider was applying to become the registered manager, so families may wish to check whether this has since been completed.
“There was no registered manager in post. The provider was in the process of registering to become the registered manager.” from the report
- 01Has the provider since become the registered manager, and who is responsible for the home day to day?
- 02How would staff support my relative if their mental health deteriorated or they showed signs of relapse?
- 03How are people assessed and supported if they want to manage their own medicines?
- 04What personal goals would my relative work towards, such as cooking, training, employment or moving to independent living?
- 05How many staff are available during the day and night, and what extra support can be arranged if needed?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, including care, accommodation, medicines, staffing and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 April 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 Elmdene
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 April 2015.
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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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 Greenwich
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. 87 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She cared for my mum with Alzheimer's with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude”
“Usha rapidly became 'one of the family' and is sorely missed.”
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.