CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Fenham Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found suitable staffing and recruitment checks, safe medicine administration, completed risk assessments and clean communal areas. They also noted that medicine competency observations were planned for all staff.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs and nutrition were assessed, staff received relevant training and supervision, and the home worked with health professionals. People were supported with healthcare, education, work and activities.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Staff were described as kind, patient and compassionate. People were involved in decisions, treated with dignity and supported to achieve their aims, build confidence and live more independently.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and involved people and relatives. Staff supported communication, friendships, family contact, education, employment, worship and activities.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The provider and registered manager were approachable and promoted an open, person-centred culture. Staff felt listened to, and quality checks and action plans were used to improve the service.
What inspectors found, March 2020
Rated Good overall; inspectors found exceptionally caring, person-centred support, with some policies and guidance still being updated.
This was an unannounced inspection on 20 January 2020. One inspector spoke with people, relatives, staff and visiting professionals. They observed daily life and checked care plans, medicines, recruitment, training and management records.
The home supported seven people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found people were safe, received good support and had their medicines given as prescribed. Staff knew people well and supported choice, independence, work, college, activities and family relationships.
The overall rating was Good. Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led were Good. Caring was Outstanding, which means inspectors found people were exceptionally well treated, respected and supported. The overall rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, while Caring improved from Good to Outstanding.
Kind and compassionate staff
Everyone spoken with said staff were kind and caring. Inspectors also saw patient and meaningful communication, including the use of gestures and sign language.
“Without exception, everyone spoken with told us staff were kind, caring and compassionate and nothing was too much trouble for them.” from the report
Independence and achievement
People were supported to work, volunteer, attend college, take part in activities and develop new skills. Their personal aims and goals were central to the support provided.
“People were empowered to live the best life they could.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Inspectors found safe recruitment, adequate staffing and medicines given as prescribed. People valued having regular staff who knew them well.
“Medicine administration records demonstrated that medicines were given as prescribed.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's preferences, communication needs and goals. People and relatives were involved in planning and reviewing care.
“Care plans demonstrated personalised care and people and their relatives were involved in care planning.” from the report
Open management
Staff described the management as approachable and supportive. Relatives said communication was very good and they were kept informed.
“The provider and registered manager promoted a culture of openness.” from the report
End of life guidance was being reviewed
minorNobody was receiving end of life care during the inspection. The home was reviewing its policy and planned to seek advice and training, so families should ask what has since been completed.
“The service was reviewing their end of life policy and guidelines.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the end of life policy and staff guidance since this inspection?
- 02Has the easy-read service user guide now been completed and given to people living here?
- 03Have all staff completed the planned medicine competency observations, and how are these kept up to date?
- 04What actions were taken after the local authority quality inspection identified areas for improvement?
- 05How often will my relative's care plan be reviewed, and how will they be supported to express their choices?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the premises; it also followed up information from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 March 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, August 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with people supported to live active lives.
The unannounced inspection took place on 22 June 2017. One inspector spoke with people, staff, the manager and provider, and later contacted relatives and professionals. They also reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and quality checks.
The home supported seven people with learning disabilities, some of whom also had mental health needs. Inspectors found enough suitably trained staff, safe medicines arrangements and good risk management. People were treated with dignity, involved in decisions and supported to maintain family contact and use health services.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The service remained Good, which means inspectors found it was meeting the relevant standards at the time of this inspection.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough staff with the right skills and knowledge. The home did not use agency staff and had 24-hour on-call support.
“There were sufficient numbers of care staff on shift with the correct skills and knowledge to keep people safe.” from the report
Respectful care
People were relaxed with staff and were treated with dignity. Their choices about daily life and contact with family were taken seriously.
“Without exception people and their relatives told us staff were caring towards them and always treated them with dignity and respect which was evident from our observations.” from the report
Active lives
People took part in varied activities and some had work placements, paid work or college courses. Inspectors saw that people were proud of their achievements.
“People led busy social lives which was evident from our discussions with them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's communication needs, preferences and changing needs. Keyworkers reviewed plans monthly and changes were acted on.
“The service was responsive to people's changing needs and people's preferences were taken into account so that they received personalised care.” from the report
Visible management
The manager and provider were involved in daily care and staff said they could approach them. The home used audits and surveys to monitor quality.
“The management team had systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service provided.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you currently assess staffing levels and make sure there are enough staff with the right skills?
- 02How are people's medicines checked, and what do your latest medicines audits show?
- 03How often are care plans reviewed, and how are changes in people's needs acted on?
- 04What work placements, college courses and activities are available now?
- 05How do you support people to make decisions where mental capacity or restrictions on freedom are involved?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall service rating, using observations, discussions, records and feedback from relatives and professionals. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 August 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 Fenham Lodge
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 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
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.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.