CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Halas Homes
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection prevention and control safely. They also asked about measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control measures, but the home was not fully up to date with visiting guidance.
This was a targeted inspection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures. The visit was announced 24 hours in advance and took place on 1 February 2022.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks. This included safe visiting, admissions, testing, PPE, cleaning, social distancing and outbreak management. Staff were seen wearing PPE correctly, and the home had good supplies.
The home was allowing visits, but the registered manager did not know about the essential care giver role in government guidance. The home said its policy was being updated, and CQC signposted it to resources.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means this inspection did not give a Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate rating. It only assessed the areas covered by this targeted visit.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements covering visitors, admissions, testing, PPE, hygiene, social distancing and outbreak management.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Personal protective equipment
The home had good levels of PPE, and staff were observed using it correctly.
“The provider maintained good levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) and staff were observed wearing PPE correctly.” from the report
Activities during the pandemic
Activities had continued with safety measures in place, which inspectors said was positive for people's wellbeing.
“This was positive for the wellbeing of people receiving the service.” from the report
Outbreak arrangements
The registered manager demonstrated an understanding of separating people and areas during an outbreak.
“The registered manager had a good understanding of the principles of cohorting and zoning and demonstrated how they was implemented during the outbreak.” from the report
Visiting guidance
needs fixingThe registered manager did not know about the essential care giver role in government guidance. The home said its policy was being updated.
“The service was allowing visits; however, the registered manager was not aware of the essential care giver role which was in the government guidance.” from the report
- 01Has the visiting policy now been updated to include the essential care giver role?
- 02How would an essential care giver visit if the home had another COVID-19 outbreak?
- 03What measures are in place to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures?
- 04How are PPE supplies, testing and infection control checks monitored now?
- 05What activities are currently available for residents, and what safety measures are used?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it was inspected but not rated and did not assess the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 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.
What inspectors found, November 2018
Halas Homes rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-managed care, with Outstanding support tailored to people's lives.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 16 August 2018. Inspectors spoke with 15 people, staff and visiting professionals. They observed care and activities, and checked care and medicine records, staff files, training, incidents, complaints and quality checks.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were all rated Good and remained at that level from the previous inspection. Responsive improved from Good to Outstanding.
Inspectors found people were supported to make choices, stay independent and take part in activities, education, work and community life. They also found suitable staffing, trained staff, safe recruitment, support with medicines and systems to learn from incidents.
Individual activities
Staff created activities around people's interests and needs, including swimming, gardening, music, dance and sensory experiences.
“It was evident that staff were committed to enabling people to pursue and explore new interests and hobbies.” from the report
Community involvement
People were supported to take part in community projects, work opportunities and links with schools and colleges.
“The service had a key role in the local community and had actively built links with local schools, colleges; local people and the wider community.” from the report
Respectful care
Staff understood people's communication methods and supported privacy, dignity, independence and personal relationships.
“They took their time, were patient, spoke softly and politely.” from the report
Safety and staffing
Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment checks and detailed risk assessments for everyday activities and community access.
“We saw staffing levels were monitored.” from the report
Accessible communication
Information was provided using pictures, signing, symbols, communication books and easy-read formats.
“We saw staff used these formats in a meaningful way to support people to communicate.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are my relative's care plan and preferences reviewed with them and their family?
- 02Which activities, work opportunities and community links would be available to my relative now?
- 03How would staff communicate with my relative if they use Makaton, pictures, symbols or a communication book?
- 04How do you make sure staffing levels and extra support remain suitable for each person's needs?
- 05How are medicines, accidents and incidents checked, and how are lessons shared with staff?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions; Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led remained Good, while Responsive improved from Good to Outstanding. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 November 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 Halas Homes
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- October 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 9 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.
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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Dudley
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 £1,230 a week. 88 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
“Knowing Mum was in Corina's care made an enormous difference to us and we knew she was in safe hands.”
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