CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Highbury Residential Home
Not yet rated: the CQC has not published a rated inspection for this home, which is usual for a new registration.
What inspectors found, November 2022
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind, effective care, but food hygiene, care records and management systems still needed work.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 27 and 29 September 2022. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They reviewed care plans, medicines records, recruitment files and other records.
The home was rated Good for effective, caring and responsive care. People were supported by staff who knew them well, treated them kindly, helped them make choices and supported their activities, meals and healthcare.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for safe and well-led care. Inspectors found improvements since the previous inspection, but food preparation and storage were not consistently safe. Some risk assessments, care records, accident records and quality checks were not yet complete or fully embedded.
Kind and respectful care
People were treated with patience and respect. Staff supported people to make everyday choices and maintain their independence.
“People received respectful and caring support from a committed staff team.” from the report
Safer medicines practice
Medicines were stored, given and disposed of safely. Staff had training, competency checks and medicines audits.
“Medication administration records (MAR) were fully completed by staff when they administered people's medicines.” from the report
Support with health and nutrition
Staff helped people attend health appointments and worked with healthcare professionals. People were supported with meals, drinks and nutritional needs.
“Staff supported people to attend planned health appointments and referred people promptly to their GP or other specialist health services as needed.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to take part in activities they enjoyed and spend time with important people. This helped reduce social isolation.
“Staff supported people to join in things they enjoyed and to spend time with people who were important” from the report
Open improvement work
The new manager had identified problems and set timescales for improvements. Staff described the new management culture as more approachable and supportive.
“The new manager is approachable and we feel listened to and able to share our views now.” from the report
Food safety
seriousThe kitchen had no stock control system. Inspectors found out-of-date food and freezer items that were not properly labelled.
“There was no stock control system in the kitchen and we found out of date perishable and store cupboard items.” from the report
Incomplete risk and care records
needs fixingSome risk assessments were not personalised or updated when people's needs changed. Accident records did not always show the actions taken or follow-up needed.
“Risks to people's safety were assessed and were monitored but care plans did not always reflect the detailed information and guidance staff needed to keep people safe.” from the report
Night-time staffing
needs fixingSome people said they sometimes waited for help at night. The home was reviewing night staffing and had added hours at busy times.
“Some people expressed concern around insufficient staffing during the night, which meant they sometimes had to wait for support.” from the report
Communication information
minorCare plans recorded people's communication needs but did not always explain how they preferred to receive information. Inspectors recommended further development of information systems.
“People's care plans described their communication needs but did not always detail how they liked to receive information.” from the report
- 01What has been done to replace or upgrade the kitchen, and how are food dates, labelling and stock checks recorded now?
- 02Have all care plans and risk assessments been personalised and updated when people's needs change?
- 03What night-time staffing levels are now in place, and how do you check that people do not wait too long for help?
- 04How are people and relatives now involved in care plan reviews, and where is that involvement recorded?
- 05How are the new audits and improvement plans checked to show that changes are lasting?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 November 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, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 controls, but social distancing and care-plan detail needed improvement.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 2 February 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 outbreak response, and on staffing pressures.
Inspectors found that staff consistently used PPE. The home had checks for visitors, a designated visiting area, cleaning arrangements and systems for testing and vaccination.
There were some areas to improve. People were not always supported to socially distance in communal areas. COVID-19 care plans and risk assessments did not always give staff enough detail.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a full set of ratings for all five questions.
Consistent PPE use
Inspectors saw staff using personal protective equipment consistently and in line with government guidance.
“We observed staff wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) consistently in accordance with government guidelines.” from the report
Safe visiting arrangements
The home had a designated visiting area and checked visitors before entry, including testing and vaccination status.
“Robust systems were in place to ensure safe visiting to the service.” from the report
Cleaning and hygiene
The home was clean and had cleaning schedules for high-touch points and COVID-19 measures.
“The service was clean and high touch points and COVID-19 specific cleaning schedules were in place.” from the report
Manager making improvements
Inspectors found that the registered manager was introducing changes and that improvements were being made.
“The registered manager was implementing changes to the service and improvements were being made.” from the report
Social distancing
needs fixingPeople were not always supported to keep apart in communal areas. Inspectors asked the manager to complete risk assessments that considered individual needs.
“We observed people were not always supported to socially distance in communal areas.” from the report
Care plan detail
needs fixingCOVID-19 care plans and risk assessments were in place, but did not always give staff thorough guidance on how to support people safely.
“People had COVID-19 care plans and risk assessments in place, but more detail was required to provide staff with thorough guidance around how to support people safely.” from the report
- 01How do you now support people to socially distance in communal areas?
- 02How are individual needs included in the risk assessments for communal areas?
- 03What extra detail has been added to COVID-19 care plans and risk assessments?
- 04How do you check that staff understand and follow each person's infection control guidance?
- 05How are staffing pressures being managed, and what impact have they had on people's care?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection of all five quality questions and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 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 Highbury Residential Home
4 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- November 2022Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- August 2021Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- May 2020Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 July 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Leicestershire
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 £1,260 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
“Together Earther and I supported her to die at home with great dignity and compassion and him to continue with life.”
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.