CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Greenfields
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People's risks were assessed and reviewed, and there were enough staff to support them safely. Medicines were managed by trained staff, with records showing medicines received, given and returned.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in this focused inspection. Its rating carried over from the previous inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in this focused inspection. Its rating carried over from the previous inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in this focused inspection. Its rating carried over from the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers used audits and action plans to monitor quality and make improvements. People, relatives and staff were involved, and the home worked with health and social care professionals.
What inspectors found, January 2024
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, well-managed respite care with strong support for people's choices and independence.
This was a focused inspection because it had been some time since the previous inspection. One inspector visited on 29 November 2023 and gathered further information until 8 December. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and professionals, and checked care plans, medicines records, recruitment files, training records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe recruitment, good medicines management and suitable risk assessments. People were supported to make choices, stay as independent as possible and take part in activities.
Inspectors also found an open management culture. Leaders used audits and action plans to improve the service, listened to people and relatives, and worked with health and social care professionals.
The overall Good rating also includes ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection in 2018. This inspection did not reassess Effective, Caring or Responsive.
Managing risks
Risks were assessed, monitored and reviewed. Care plans gave staff clear information about people's needs, including how to support periods of anxiety or distress.
“People's needs, and any associated risks were assessed, monitored, and regularly reviewed.” from the report
Medicines
Trained staff managed medicines and had their competence checked. There were clear arrangements for medicines prescribed when needed.
“People's medicines were managed and administered by staff who received regular training and assessments of their competency.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions, take part in activities and remain as independent as possible. Staff used objects, photographs and signing to help people communicate choices.
“People were supported to retain and develop their independence whilst managing their own risks.” from the report
Management and improvement
The provider used audits, action plans and shared learning to improve safety and quality. Staff were trained and their knowledge and competence were checked.
“There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service provided.” from the report
Working with professionals
The home worked with health and social care professionals. Staff responded to changes in people's health and supported improvements in mobility.
“The service worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to achieve good outcomes for people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and review my relative's specific risks, including risks linked to personal care, anxiety or distress?
- 02How would you support my relative's communication and decision-making, including the use of objects, photographs or signing if needed?
- 03How would you manage my relative's regular and as-required medicines, and how would you share records with us?
- 04Which activities, day services or community opportunities could my relative continue during a respite stay?
- 05How would you tell us about changes in my relative's health, care plan or risk management?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection published in 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 January 2024 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 2018
Greenfields was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised respite care with strong management.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 10 July 2018. It was the first inspection since the home registered in September 2016. Inspectors looked at the care, accommodation, medicines, records, safety checks and how the home was managed.
The home provides short-stay respite care for up to six adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and/or autism. Two people were staying during the visit. Inspectors met one person, spoke with four relatives, the manager and five staff, and checked records for two people.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable staffing, trained staff, safe medicines procedures, personalised support, accessible communication and systems to monitor quality.
Safe staffing and risk planning
Staffing levels were adjusted to the number and needs of people staying at the home. Risk assessments were detailed and regularly reviewed.
“There were sufficient numbers of suitably experienced and trained staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff interact with people in a kind, gentle and respectful way. Staff knew what mattered to the people they supported.
“People benefitted from a staff team who were kind, caring and compassionate.” from the report
Personalised communication
The home used photographs, symbols, signs and other communication aids to help people make choices and express their needs.
“Information was provided in an accessible format for the people who lived at the home.” from the report
Activities and independence
People could continue education, develop skills, take part in activities and maintain relationships with family and friends.
“People were supported to live their lives to the full.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The provider used audits, checks, reviews and staff discussions to monitor care and identify improvements.
“There were effective procedures in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided to people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you adjust staffing levels for my relative's needs during their respite stay?
- 02How will you check, store and record my relative's medicines when they arrive and when they leave?
- 03Which communication aids, symbols or signs will you use to help my relative make choices?
- 04What education, activities and social opportunities could my relative take part in during their stay?
- 05How can my relative or our family raise a complaint, and what accessible formats are available?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions; inspectors met one person, spoke with four relatives and checked records for two people. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 August 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 Greenfields
2 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2024Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2018GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 September 2016.
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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57 live-in carers within about an hour of Shropshire
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 £960 to £1,230 a week. 52 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
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.