CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Footprints
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe recruitment, appropriate risk assessments and medicines given safely and on time.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and supervised, and worked with health professionals. People were supported with nutrition and complex eating and drinking needs, although consent for some restraints had not been formalised.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, patience and respect. They understood people's communication methods, preferences and personal routines.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was planned around each person and their choices. People and relatives were involved in reviews, and people were supported with activities, independence and community links.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found an open and inclusive culture. The manager supported staff and quality audits were used to identify and address shortfalls.
What inspectors found, September 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, but consent for some restraints had not been formally recorded.
The CQC carried out an announced inspection on 25 August 2017. One inspector reviewed care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, staff files, training records, rotas and quality checks. They also spoke with staff and observed how people were supported.
The home supported two young people with disabilities and complex health needs. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines systems, good links with health professionals and care plans that reflected people's choices. People appeared happy, relaxed and comfortable with staff.
All five areas were rated Good: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. The report did identify that consent for bed rails and wheelchair lap straps had not been formally recorded. The registered manager took immediate action to address this. This was the first inspection of the home.
Enough skilled staff
Staffing was planned around people's needs, activities and appointments. Staff had specialist training for autism, swallowing difficulties and complex health conditions.
“People were supported by sufficient numbers of trained staff who knew them and their preferences well.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicines were given on time, stored safely and regularly checked. Staff were trained and assessed as competent before administering medicines.
“People received their medicines on time. Medicines were stored, managed and disposed of safely.” from the report
Kind communication
Staff used different communication methods and gave people time to respond. They understood that changes in body language could show pain or anxiety.
“Staff used different ways to communicate with people and were patient, giving them time to respond at their own pace.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's choices, likes, dislikes and independence goals. They used pictures and symbols to make information easier to understand.
“People's care plans were an accurate reflection of people's choices and centred on them as an individual.” from the report
Strong quality checks
The home had audits covering care, safety and the environment. When problems were found, actions, deadlines and responsibility were recorded.
“Robust auditing processes were in place to check the quality and safety of the service provided.” from the report
Consent for restraints
needs fixingConsent had not been formally recorded for the use of some bed rails and wheelchair lap straps. The report says immediate action was taken to address this.
“However, there were no informed consent forms to indicate if the use of bed rails or wheelchair lap straps had been agreed with people, their loved ones and health professionals” from the report
- 01How is consent for bed rails and wheelchair lap straps now recorded, reviewed and discussed with families and health professionals?
- 02How would you meet my relative's specific communication needs, including how they show pain, anxiety or discomfort?
- 03What specialist training would staff have if my relative needed support with swallowing, a feeding tube or a complex health condition?
- 04How are staffing levels adjusted for appointments, activities, sickness and unexpected staff absence?
- 05How would my relative and our family be involved in care plan reviews and decisions about activities and independence goals?
This was an announced first inspection covering all five CQC questions, with records for two people reviewed and care observed during the visit. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 September 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 Footprints
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- September 2017Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 August 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.
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
39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.