CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Heaton House
Not yet rated: the CQC has not published a rated inspection for this home, which is usual for a new registration.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found effective support but concerns about governance, staffing stability and feedback.
This was an unannounced, focused inspection on 02 November 2021. Inspectors reviewed only the Effective and Well-led areas because the inspection followed concerns about staffing and their effect on care. They spoke with two children, 10 staff members and other professionals, and reviewed care, staffing, incident and management records.
The home was effective. Children understood their care plans, had choices about meals and activities, and were supported to use the least restrictive options. Inspectors also found that staff had suitable knowledge, qualifications and experience.
The home was not always well-led. There had been no registered manager for several months, staffing had been a significant challenge, and management systems did not give enough assurance that improvements were being completed. Children could raise concerns, but they did not always receive updates or outcomes.
The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate rating. The provider breached Regulation 17 on good governance and was asked to submit an action plan. The previous breach of Regulation 10 had been addressed before this inspection.
Children understood their care
Children said they felt included and understood their treatment plans. Care plans were regularly reviewed and changes were shared with staff.
“Children told us that they felt included in their care. They understood their treatment plans and they felt able to raise concerns when they needed to.” from the report
Choices and independence
Children helped plan meals, choose activities and arrange their rooms. Staff supported them to make choices and use the least restrictive options.
“Children had choices about what they ate and took an active role in choosing daily activities.” from the report
Suitable staff skills
Inspectors found that staff had the knowledge, qualifications and experience needed to provide safe care. Staff who had recently started said their training was good quality.
“Staff have the right knowledge, qualifications and experience to deliver safe care to children.” from the report
Positive working with others
The home worked with external professionals and agencies to support children's needs. Inspectors found examples of advocacy and joined-up care.
“The service is collaborative and works with external stakeholders and agencies. This supports joined up care.” from the report
Lack of stable management
needs fixingThere had been no registered manager for several months. Inspectors found no prioritised or measurable improvement plan for the new manager, while staffing shortages had continued for over a year.
“The home had not had a registered manager for several months.” from the report
Feedback was not followed up
needs fixingChildren could raise concerns but did not always receive an update or outcome. Inspectors recommended a clearer system for monitoring and managing feedback and complaints.
“Children were not able to tell us what happened as a result of their feedback.” from the report
Incomplete records and inconsistent staff support
needs fixingInduction, debrief and other records were not always fully completed. Supervision, team meetings and debriefs after interventions had not always happened as intended.
“Documentation was not always fully completed, for example provider templates.” from the report
Communication was sometimes delayed
needs fixingExternal professionals did not always receive timely updates. Referrals were not always followed up clearly, making it harder to know whether they had been received or acted on.
“External stakeholders had to request important updates, and this limits the timely support the multi-agency network can offer children.” from the report
- 01Who is now the registered manager, and when was the application completed?
- 02What action has been taken to address the Regulation 17 breach, and how is progress now checked?
- 03How do you make sure children receive an update and outcome after raising a concern or complaint?
- 04How have staffing levels and leadership stability changed since the inspection?
- 05How do you ensure referrals, incident actions, inductions and intervention debriefs are recorded and followed up?
This was a focused inspection of Effective and Well-led only; Safe, Caring and Responsive were not inspected and no areas of concern were identified in them from the information reviewed. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 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, September 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found that earlier restrictions on children’s activities had been addressed.
This was a targeted inspection on 1 and 2 October 2020. It was carried out remotely to check whether the home had improved access to activities outside the home. The inspection followed an earlier concern linked to Covid-19 restrictions.
Inspectors reviewed the home’s action plan and activity records. They spoke with two children, staff, social workers and other professionals. Children said they could plan activities with staff and enjoyed the activities available.
Inspectors found improvements. Children had access to a range of activities, and staff had more training in risk management. The home was no longer in breach of Regulation 10 on dignity and respect.
This was not a full inspection. The home was inspected but not rated, and the other quality areas were not assessed. They will be considered at the next comprehensive inspection.
Activities planned with children
Children were involved in planning their activities with staff. They said they enjoyed the activities available.
“Children were able to plan their activities with staff. This was recorded in the weekly planner.” from the report
More opportunities outside the home
Children had access to a range of activities, including regular trips out. Inspectors found that this supported independence and preparation for adulthood.
“Children had access to a range of activities. This included regular activities such as going for a drive.” from the report
Improved staff training
Changes to staffing, induction and ongoing training meant staff were more regularly updated about risk management.
“Recent changes to staffing including induction and on-going training mean that staff are more regularly updated regarding important skills such as risk management.” from the report
Support for future plans
Children understood their plans for adulthood and the education or courses they might need next.
“Children knew what they wanted to do when they become adults. They knew about the courses and education that they need.” from the report
Not a full inspection
minorThe inspection only checked the specific concern about access to activities. It did not assess the other quality areas or provide an overall rating.
“We will assess all of the key questions at the next comprehensive inspection of the service.” from the report
- 01How are children currently involved in planning their weekly activities?
- 02Which activities outside the home are available, and how are the risks assessed?
- 03What training have staff completed in risk management and supporting independence?
- 04How do you make sure activities reflect each child’s wishes, interests and preparation for adulthood?
- 05What were the findings of the latest full Ofsted and CQC inspections?
This was a targeted inspection of the concern about access to external activities; the other key questions were not assessed and no overall rating was given. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 September 2021 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 Heaton House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not ratedEffective: Inspected but not ratedCaring: Inspected but not ratedResponsive: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- September 2021Inspected but not rated
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedEffective: Inspected but not ratedResponsive: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- July 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 July 2019.
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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36 live-in carers within about an hour of Newcastle upon Tyne
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 £950 to £1,160 a week. 30 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.”
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