CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ivy Grove
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, safe medicines management, risk assessments and suitable infection-control arrangements.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before admission and staff received training, induction and supervision. People were supported with food, drink, healthcare, oral care and lawful consent arrangements.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives said staff were kind and respectful. Inspectors saw staff promoting privacy, dignity, independence and involvement in care decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and reviewed regularly. The home supported communication needs, offered varied activities, handled complaints appropriately and recorded end-of-life wishes.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the leadership. The home used meetings, surveys, audits and reviews to identify improvements and worked with healthcare professionals.
What inspectors found, January 2023
Ivy Grove was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a minor limitation in monitoring call-bell response times.
The inspection was unannounced and took place over three visits in October and November 2022. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives and staff. They reviewed care records, medicines, recruitment files, safety checks and quality records.
Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management and suitable infection-control arrangements. People had risk assessments, healthcare support and nutritious food. Staff were trained and supported, and people were involved in decisions about their care.
People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Care plans were detailed and personalised. The home offered activities, supported communication needs and recorded people's wishes about end-of-life care.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found good standards overall, but a Good rating does not mean every part of the service is perfect.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, and observed that call bells were answered promptly.
“We observed call bells were answered in a timely manner and nobody had to wait long for staff assistance.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored and administered safely. Records had no gaps, and staff were trained and checked as competent.
“Medicine administration records were completed correctly with no gaps and reasons for giving 'as needed' medicines were documented.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff positively. Inspectors saw staff taking time to talk with people and protecting their dignity.
“We observed staff took the time to have a chat with people and to make sure nobody was overlooked.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's preferences and staff understood how to provide individual care. Plans were reviewed monthly or when needs changed.
“Care plans were detailed and personalised.” from the report
Open leadership
People, relatives and staff could give feedback through meetings and surveys. The provider used audits and reviews to make changes.
“The provider had various quality assurance processes in place so improvements could be identified and actioned.” from the report
Call-bell monitoring
minorAlthough call bells were answered promptly during the inspection, the system could not review response times. The report says senior management was to look into this.
“The current system did not allow for response times to be reviewed.” from the report
- 01What has happened since the inspection to allow call-bell response times to be reviewed?
- 02How will you assess and support my relative's specific mobility, choking, hydration or pressure-sore risks?
- 03How will you keep my relative's care plan up to date if their needs or preferences change?
- 04What activities and social opportunities would be suitable for my relative, including at weekends?
- 05How would you involve me and my relative in decisions about care and end-of-life wishes?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 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, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, safe visiting arrangements and enough staff during the COVID-19 response.
This was a targeted inspection on 23 February 2022. The inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19. The visit was announced 24 hours beforehand.
The inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. The home had testing, isolation and infection control procedures in place. Staff used personal protective equipment correctly, and the home was kept clean.
Visitors were asked to take a lateral flow test and wear suitable protective equipment. The home was facilitating visits in line with government guidance. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a quality rating such as Good or Requires improvement.
Enough staff
The provider had enough staff and arranged cover for absences linked to COVID-19 so people's needs could continue to be met.
“The provider ensured they had enough staff at all times to meet people's needs.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had effective arrangements for testing, isolation, PPE, cleaning and managing outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Safe visiting
Visitors were tested, given PPE and provided with hand sanitiser. Visits were being managed in line with government guidance.
“Safe arrangements were in place for visitors to the service.” from the report
Clean premises
The home was kept clean, with handwashing guidance displayed and extra PPE available.
“The premises was kept clean at all times to maintain hygiene and help prevent the spread of infections.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01Are regular COVID-19 tests still carried out for residents and staff?
- 02How do you cover staff absences now, and are staffing levels still enough to meet residents' needs?
- 03What infection prevention and control training have staff completed recently?
- 04How are visits managed now, including testing, PPE and vaccination requirements?
- 05How often are the infection prevention and control policy and risk assessments reviewed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the report does not assess the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 March 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 Ivy Grove
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 26 June 2015.
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 Waltham Forest
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 £1,200 a week. 77 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Sidonia is a first class live-in carer whose dedication and thoughtfulness made her stay a happy experience.”
“Charity would take Nan on holidays day trips and shopping adventures”
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.