CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Firs Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe. Staff followed risk assessments, medicines records were complete, and there were enough staff to meet people's needs safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's physical, mental and social needs were assessed and reviewed. Staff had training for individual needs, and people were supported with food, healthcare and consent.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors saw kind and respectful interactions. People were involved in decisions, supported to communicate their views, and encouraged to maintain their independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans recorded people's preferences, interests and goals. People were supported with activities, relationships, community access and communication, and complaints were logged and investigated.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The service had an open, inclusive and person-centred culture. Audits, feedback and investigations were used to monitor quality and improve care.
What inspectors found, September 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with no breaches reported.
This was the first inspection since the service registered in March 2022. Two inspectors visited without warning on 12 July 2022. They spoke with people, relatives or advocates, staff and healthcare professionals, observed care, and checked care plans, risk records, medicines, staffing and management records.
The inspectors rated the home Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. They found enough suitably trained staff, safe medicines management, regular risk reviews, good health support and care that respected people's choices, dignity and independence.
People were supported to take part in activities, keep relationships and access the local community. The home used accessible information and communication methods, including pictorial information. The report says the service was exceptionally responsive, although the formal rating for Responsive was Good.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs safely. Medicines were stored, given and recorded safely, with regular checks.
“There were enough staff to provide people with flexible care to meet their needs.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices, travel independently where possible, prepare food and take part in everyday activities.
“People were actively encouraged and supported to maintain their independent living skills.” from the report
Kind, respectful care
The inspectors saw staff treating people with warmth, patience and respect. People's privacy, dignity and equality were promoted.
“Staff were caring, patient and provided friendly support that respected people's privacy.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in individual and group activities, maintain family relationships and use local community facilities.
“People had access to a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces where they could choose to engage in a wide range of social activities” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home used audits, feedback, complaints and incident reviews to identify improvements and monitor the service.
“Audits were thorough, carried out by the manager, deputy, and staff, and regularly reviewed and kept up to date.” from the report
Manager registration pending
minorAt the inspection, the service did not have a manager registered with the CQC. An application had been submitted, so families may wish to check its progress.
“The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. The manager had submitted an application to become registered.” from the report
- 01What is the current progress of the manager's application to become registered with the CQC?
- 02How will you keep my relative's care plan and risk assessments updated if their needs, interests or communication change?
- 03How would you support my relative to communicate choices if they do not use speech?
- 04What activities and community opportunities would be available to my relative, based on their interests and abilities?
- 05How can my relative and our family raise a complaint, and how will we be kept informed about the outcome?
This inspection looked at the care home's premises and care, and at personal care and support in supported living, but not supported living premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 September 2022 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 Firs Court
5 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2022Goodcurrent ratingup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2021Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 March 2022.
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 Kingston upon Thames
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 £1,260 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Without his support we wouldn't have been able to navigate bringing and keeping Dad at home.”
“We cannot speak highly enough of the care that Angelique gave, and would recommend her to anyone else needing a live-in carer.”
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.