CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Kendall House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that staff understood safeguarding, staffing levels were sufficient and medicines were safely managed. A radiator behind a toilet door was identified as a possible scalding risk, and immediate steps were taken to reduce the risk.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was carried forward.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found strong leadership, an open culture and effective checks on quality, medicines, staffing, training and the environment. People, relatives, staff and professionals were asked for their views.
What inspectors found, February 2023
Kendall House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring support and strong leadership, with one environmental safety risk addressed immediately.
This was an unannounced inspection on 25 January 2023. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, staff, relatives and health and social care professionals. Records about care, medicines, staffing, training, safety and quality checks were also reviewed.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and well-led were both rated Good. People were supported to make choices, take part in activities and live active lives. Inspectors found that staff knew people well, treated them with care and worked effectively with other services.
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led. The other three ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection, published on 4 September 2018. The overall rating has remained Good.
Choice and independence
Staff supported people to make everyday decisions and live as independently as possible. People were involved in choosing food, drinks, activities and how to spend their time.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.” from the report
Active lives
People were supported to follow their goals and take part in activities such as walks, coffee trips, shopping, social groups and bowling.
“Staff focused on people's strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life.” from the report
Kind, person-centred care
Staff knew people well and had built positive relationships with them. People told inspectors they liked living at the home and were happy with the staff.
“People were supported by staff that knew them well and who were committed to providing person centred care.” from the report
Open leadership
The report describes a culture where people and staff were valued and their views were used to make improvements. Quality checks covered important areas of the service.
“There was an open and inclusive culture where people and staff were valued, and their views sought to help drive improvements.” from the report
Radiator safety risk
needs fixingInspectors found a small radiator behind a toilet door that could have caused scalding if someone fell there. The manager took immediate steps to reduce the risk, with maintenance planned for the following day.
“There was a small radiator behind a toilet door, which potentially could put people at risk of scalding if they fell in this area.” from the report
- 01What was done to permanently address the radiator safety risk identified during the inspection?
- 02How will you support my relative to follow their own goals and take part in activities outside the home?
- 03How often will my relative's medicines and any possible over-medication risks be reviewed?
- 04How will my relative and our family be involved in updating their care plan and making best-interest decisions?
- 05What improvements have been made since the change of manager?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the Effective, Caring and Responsive ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 February 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, September 2018
Kendall House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with enough activities and strong management.
This was an unannounced inspection. Inspectors visited on 7 and 8 August 2018, reviewed care and management records, spoke with people living at the home, staff, a health professional and relatives, and contacted other professionals.
Seven people were living at the home, which can support up to eight people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found enough staff in most circumstances, safe medicines, suitable risk assessments and clear safeguarding procedures.
Care was described as effective, caring and tailored to each person. People were supported with healthcare, communication, independence, family contact, activities and trips. The home was described as welcoming and inclusive.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found the service met the expected standards at the time of this inspection. The previous inspection in January 2016 had found no regulatory breaches.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treating people with warmth, dignity and respect. The home had a friendly atmosphere where people were treated as individuals.
“Staff were extremely caring, compassionate and kind in their approach to people.” from the report
Personalised support
Staff knew people's preferences, communication methods and routines. Care plans gave detailed guidance and people were involved in decisions about their support.
“People were placed at the very centre of their care.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to choose activities, go out, take holidays and help with everyday tasks. Staff adapted plans when people wanted to do something different.
“People were supported daily to do what they wanted to do either on a one to one or in a small group.” from the report
Health support
Staff recognised changes in people's health and worked promptly with health professionals. Records showed regular appointments and follow-up.
“Staff were prompt in raising concerns about people's health.” from the report
Listening and improving
People, relatives and staff could give feedback through meetings and surveys. The home introduced a monthly newsletter after relatives said they wanted more information about activities.
“This showed the service listened and took action to make improvements not only listening to the people living at Kendall House but their families.” from the report
Occasional single staffing
minorStaff said there were rare occasions when sickness cover could not be found and only one staff member was working. The report says the home provided assurances that people remained safe, but families should ask how this would work for their relative's needs.
“There were rare occasions when there was only one member of staff.” from the report
Slow internet connection
minorThe internet connection in the area was slow. People were supported to use the library instead, while the home continued to explore ways to improve connectivity.
“The registered manager told us the internet connection to the area was really slow so in response people were supported to go to the library as there was better connection.” from the report
- 01How would you maintain safe support if sickness meant only one staff member was available?
- 02How do you update a person's care plan and risk assessments when their health or behaviour changes?
- 03How would you support my relative to communicate if they do not use speech?
- 04What activities and trips could my relative choose, and how much one-to-one support would be available?
- 05How would you keep me informed about activities, health changes and review meetings?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall quality of the home. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 September 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 Kendall House
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 26 January 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 South Gloucestershire
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 £1,020 to £1,280 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.