CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Grizedale
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found detailed risk assessments, safe premises, safeguarding systems, enough staff and safe medicines management. Infection prevention arrangements were also considered effective.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not rated in this report.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This key question was not rated in this report, although the report describes respectful, individualised and empathetic support.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- People were supported to take part in activities they enjoyed, maintain relationships and be part of the local community. Support plans reflected people's needs, preferences and life histories.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found exceptional leadership, strong teamwork and a culture focused on improving people's quality of life. Staff, relatives and other professionals gave very positive feedback.
What inspectors found, January 2023
Grizedale was rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found safe, highly personalised care and exceptional leadership.
This was an inspection of a small care home for up to seven people with learning disabilities, who may also have mental health needs. Inspectors visited on four dates, spoke with six people and six relatives, and gathered feedback from staff and health professionals.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Outstanding for Responsive and Well-led. People were supported safely with medicines, risks were well managed, and there were enough trained staff. Inspectors found highly individualised care, meaningful activities, strong community links and creative communication plans.
The previous overall rating was Good, with Caring rated Outstanding. At this inspection, Responsive and Well-led improved to Outstanding. The report does not give current ratings for Effective or Caring.
Personalised support
Support plans were highly individualised. With permission, they included photographs and videos to help staff understand exactly how to support each person.
“Support plans were totally individualised and representative of the person.” from the report
Meaningful lives
People had varied activities linked to their interests and were welcomed at local community events. Inspectors found that people had rich and enjoyable lives.
“People led lives which were full of meaning and enjoyment.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff were trained and checked as competent. The home worked with a pharmacist to make sure crushed medicines were given safely and explained clearly.
“People's medicines were managed safely. Staff were trained in medicines management and were assessed as competent to administer people's medicines.” from the report
Strong leadership
The manager and staff continually looked for ways to improve support. Staff felt listened to, supported and motivated.
“The registered manager operated an ethos of always striving for excellence and staff found this greatly motivated them.” from the report
Community involvement
People had become part of their local community and took part in events, including activities at a local church and community centre.
“People had become integral to the community and were welcomed to local community events.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you update my relative's support plan as their needs, preferences or communication methods change?
- 02Could you show me how the photo or video support plans are used, and explain how permissions are recorded?
- 03If my relative needs crushed medicines, how would you check which medicines can be crushed and how they should be given?
- 04What activities and local community opportunities would be suitable for my relative's interests and abilities?
- 05How should relatives raise a concern, and how would you keep us informed about the response?
This inspection looked at Safe, Responsive and Well-led; the report does not give current ratings for Effective or Caring. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 January 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, September 2017
Grizedale was rated Good overall; inspectors found outstandingly caring, safe and personalised support.
The announced inspection took place on 26 June, 14 and 17 July 2017. One inspector met all five people living at the home, spoke with relatives, staff and health professionals, and reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good. Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found that staff knew people very well, respected their choices and supported them to communicate, stay healthy and achieve personal goals.
The home supported up to seven people with learning disabilities, and five people lived there at the time. Inspectors found safe medicines management, suitable staffing, detailed care plans, regular staff training and systems for checking and improving the service.
Exceptional kindness
Inspectors found that staff were consistently compassionate, listened carefully and helped people feel valued. They promoted privacy, dignity, choice and independence.
“Staff interacted with people in a way which was particularly knowledgeable, kind, compassionate and caring.” from the report
Strong health support
Staff worked closely with nurses, GPs and other professionals. They advocated strongly for people's access to treatment, equipment and consistent care, including when people went to hospital.
“The staff team had good working relationships with professionals such as community nurses and GPs and referred people to these services when needed.” from the report
Personal goals and activities
People were supported to try new experiences, develop skills and take part in community life. Staff helped people pursue interests such as gardening, church activities, crafts and caring for pets.
“People had been active members of a local church, which had widened their social networks.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Inspectors found that medicines were stored, checked and recorded safely. Staffing levels were reviewed according to people's needs and activities.
“People's medicines were managed safely. Staff received safe handling of medicines training, and the administration records we reviewed were correctly completed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and review my relative's specific risks and health needs?
- 02How do you support people with limited verbal communication to make choices and express concerns?
- 03How would you support my relative to continue existing hobbies or develop new interests?
- 04How do you decide when extra staff are needed for activities, appointments or changes in health?
- 05How are relatives involved in care plan reviews and in giving feedback about the service?
This was an announced inspection covering all five key questions, based on visits, discussions with people and professionals, and reviews of care, medicines, staffing and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 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 Grizedale
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- January 2023Outstandingcurrent ratingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- September 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 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
47 live-in carers within about an hour of County Durham
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 £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.