CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Good Companions EMI Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable risk assessments and safe medicines management. Safeguarding systems, infection control and equipment checks were also in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this inspection report.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not rated separately, although inspectors observed caring, person-centred support and heard positive feedback from people and families.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this inspection report. Inspectors said care plans were person centred and changed when people's needs changed.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective audits and governance systems. People, families and staff were involved, and staff said the management team was supportive.
What inspectors found, November 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring support and effective management, with a small number of shortfalls addressed during the inspection.
Inspectors visited without notice on 25 and 26 October 2023. They spoke with people living in the home, family members and staff. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines records, recruitment files and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and Well-led were both rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable risk assessments and safe medicines management. People were supported to access healthcare and their families were involved in care planning.
Inspectors found a caring, relaxed and homely atmosphere. People had trusting relationships with staff, and families felt informed and confident that concerns would be addressed. A small number of shortfalls were identified and addressed during the inspection.
Caring relationships
People were happy living in the home and had trusting relationships with staff. Families described staff as exceptionally caring.
“People received a caring service, were happy living at Good Companions EMI Residential Care Home and had formed trusting relationships with the staff team.” from the report
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks were completed before staff were employed.
“Staff were safely recruited. Appropriate checks had been made before applicants were offered employment.” from the report
Medicines managed safely
Medicines were stored securely and given by trained staff. Records and guidance for as-required medicines were in place.
“Medicines were safely managed. Records of administration were maintained and in line with best practice.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What were the small number of shortfalls found during the inspection, and what action was taken to prevent them happening again?
- 02How are care plans reviewed when a person's needs change, and how are families involved in those reviews?
- 03How does the home check that as-required medicines are offered for the right reasons and recorded correctly?
- 04How does the home make sure staffing levels remain safe when staff are absent?
- 05How are family updates provided, and how can relatives raise concerns or make a complaint?
This inspection rated Safe and Well-led only; the report does not give new ratings for Effective, Caring or Responsive. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 November 2023 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, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and safe visiting arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 1 February 2022. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19. The home was caring for 21 people, with space for up to 26.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks. This included visitor checks, testing, vaccination, personal protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing and the safe admission of people. The home also supported face-to-face and virtual visits.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report gives no overall Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate rating. It was a focused check rather than a full review of every part of the care provided.
Safe visiting
The home supported face-to-face visits in line with government guidance. It also offered a separate visiting pod and virtual visits.
“The home had its own visiting pod which had its own entrance meaning that visitors did not have to enter the home if so preferred.” from the report
Clear information
People were given easy-to-read information about COVID-19, visiting and self-isolation. Staff were trained to help people understand the risks and reduce anxiety.
“The home provided key information about COVID-19, visiting and self- isolation to people in an easy read format, so they were able to better understand the information.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic, with cleaning schedules and audits. Staff had training, suitable PPE and a designated area to change and put on PPE.
“The home was clean and hygienic. Some rooms had recently been newly painted and plans were in place to refresh painting in other parts of the home.” from the report
Health professional links
The manager kept links with external health professionals so people could receive care and treatment when needed. Virtual consultations were used when necessary.
“The registered manager maintained links with external health professionals to enable people to receive the care and intervention they needed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing staffing pressures, and have these affected people's care?
- 02How are visitors currently checked for infection risks before entering the home?
- 03How do you make sure staff use PPE correctly and have enough supplies?
- 04How often are people and staff tested for COVID-19 now?
- 05How can relatives visit if an in-person visit is not possible?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 February 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 Good Companions EMI Residential Care Home
3 rated inspections over 9 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Good Companions EMI Residential Care Home →
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Good Companions EMI Residential Care Home →
- October 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 November 2011.
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
38 live-in carers within about an hour of Sefton
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 £1,270 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during the night.”
“It was clear that she genuinely cared and her warm approach really helped put our minds at ease.”
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.