CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Highfield Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong Covid-19 infection prevention arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 25 March 2021. It looked at how the home prevented and controlled infection during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that the home managed visitors, social distancing, new admissions, testing, protective equipment, cleaning and infection outbreaks appropriately. They also found that infection control policies were up to date.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or a rated score for safe care.
Visitor safety
The home used testing and a dedicated visiting room. A relative could also become an essential care-giver where this was needed for a person's wellbeing.
“The risk of infection from visitors was minimised.” from the report
Family contact
People could use a video portal to speak with family members. Relatives also received email updates about developments in the home.
“There was a video portal enabling people living in the service to see and speak with their family members.” from the report
Safe admissions
New residents had a negative Covid-19 test and a 14-day isolation period. Their health was monitored during and after isolation.
“New people were able to safely move into the service.” from the report
Equipment and cleanliness
Inspectors found enough protective equipment, correct use of that equipment, cleaning schedules and a clean environment.
“There was enough personal protective equipment (PPE) including disposable gloves and aprons for staff and visitors.” from the report
Policies and checks
The home had up-to-date infection control policies and carried out regular infection control audits, with actions followed up when needed.
“There were cleaning schedules in place. The service was neat and clean.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What visitor testing and visiting arrangements are in place now?
- 02How do you manage testing and isolation when someone new moves into the home?
- 03How often are infection control audits completed, and how are any actions followed up?
- 04How do you make sure staff and visitors use protective equipment correctly?
- 05How will relatives receive updates if there is an infection outbreak or other important change?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the Covid-19 pandemic; it did not assess the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 April 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.
What inspectors found, May 2019
Highfield Private Rest Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with improvements since the previous inspection.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 10 April 2019. One inspector and an expert by experience observed care, spoke with people, relatives, managers and staff, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home supported 22 older people, including people living with dementia, and had space for up to 31. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, well-managed medicines, suitable care plans and good support with health, food and personal choices.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. The home supported independence, activities, relationships and end of life wishes. Managers used checks and audits to identify and address shortfalls.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It had been rated Requires improvement at the inspection on 20 December 2017.
Safe recruitment
Recruitment checks had improved since the previous inspection. The home checked criminal records, employment history and gaps in employment, and assessed any identified risks.
“Criminal record checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) were completed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were caring and kind. Staff knew people well, respected their choices and supported privacy, dignity and independence.
“The staff are caring and so kind, I couldn't fault them. They treat everyone the same” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's routines, likes and dislikes. Staff supported people to choose how they spent their time, where they ate and how they received personal care.
“People and their loved ones had planned their care with staff, including how they preferred to be supported.” from the report
Active management
Managers carried out regular checks, including at night and weekends. They acted on shortfalls and had introduced electronic records to support care monitoring.
“The provider and management team completed regular checks and audits of the service and action had been taken to address any shortfalls found.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure care records stay accurate while you change to the electronic care planning system?
- 02How do you decide how many staff are needed on each shift for my relative's needs?
- 03How will you keep checking that fire safety arrangements remain effective?
- 04What activities and one-to-one support are available for someone who does not want to join group activities?
- 05How will you involve me and my relative if their health, preferences or end of life wishes change?
This was an unannounced, planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the home itself. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 May 2019 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 Highfield Residential Care Home
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Highfield Residential Care Home →
- May 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Highfield Residential Care Home →
- April 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 March 2011.
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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.