CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Kenwith Castle Country House Care
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from avoidable harm, with risk assessments, safety checks, suitable recruitment checks and trained staff. Some medicine supplies had been delayed, and the home planned to meet with the pharmacy and GP surgery about this.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and reviewed, staff had training and support, and people received suitable food, drink and healthcare. Staff followed the Mental Capacity Act process where needed.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors found kind and respectful relationships. Staff supported people's dignity, privacy, choices and independence, and involved people and relatives in care decisions.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care and activities were strongly tailored to people's interests, abilities and backgrounds. The home promoted friendships, community life, accessible outdoor space and meaningful activities, including a sensory garden and social events.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an approachable management team and a culture focused on improvement, inclusion and people's wellbeing. Staff, relatives and people living there gave very positive feedback about how the home was run.
What inspectors found, February 2023
Rated Good, with Outstanding responsive care; inspectors found kind, safe care, but some medicine supplies were delayed.
This was the home's first inspection since it registered in June 2021. Inspectors visited on 8, 11 and 16 November 2022. They spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and a visitor. They observed care and checked care records, medicines, recruitment, safety checks, complaints and quality monitoring.
The overall rating was Good. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were rated Good. Responsive was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found personalised care, kind staff, good support with food and healthcare, and activities that helped people stay connected and enjoy meaningful lives.
The report also noted some issues to keep under review. There had been delays and supply problems with some medicines. Inspectors were only somewhat assured about the layout and hygiene practices in the laundry because it had looked cluttered, although it was tidied during the inspection. The home was not in special measures and no breaches were recorded.
Personalised activities
The home offered a wide range of meaningful activities based on people's interests, abilities and past lives. Activities were adapted so people living with dementia or using mobility equipment could take part.
“There was a full programme of meaningful activities to engage and encourage people to be involved.” from the report
Accessible outdoor space
People helped plan a sensory garden with accessible paths, seating and views. The home worked to make outdoor space available to people living with dementia and people using wheelchairs or other mobility equipment.
“The new visual and auditory sensory garden had been created at the front of the building which had been planned with people living at the home and their families.” from the report
Kind and dignified care
People and relatives described staff as kind, respectful and attentive. Inspectors saw staff supporting dignity, privacy, independence and individual preferences.
“People received kind and compassionate care from staff who used positive, respectful language which people appreciated.” from the report
Positive leadership
The manager was visible and approachable. Staff said they felt valued and supported, and the management team had changed staffing roles and working patterns to improve consistency.
“The registered manager was visible in the service, leading by example, approachable and took a genuine interest in what people, staff, family, and other professionals had to say.” from the report
Good food and healthcare support
People were offered choices and staff knew their preferences. Staff involved health professionals when people's needs changed and monitored nutrition and hydration.
“People were supported to maintain a balanced diet with a weekly menu and choices.” from the report
Medicine supply delays
needs fixingThe report says some medicines had been affected by supply problems and delays in obtaining them. The home planned discussions with the supplying pharmacy and GP surgery to address this.
“There had been some supply issues and delays in obtaining some medicines.” from the report
Laundry layout
needs fixingInspectors were only somewhat assured about safety linked to the layout and hygiene practices of the premises because the laundry appeared cluttered. It was tidied by the second day, and further advice was planned.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider was promoting safety through the layout and hygiene practices of the premises.” from the report
Staffing views
minorA few relatives thought more staff were needed. Inspectors did not find that staffing levels affected the care people received during the inspection.
“A few relatives said, in their view, more staff were needed; we did not see staffing levels had an impact on the care of people living at the home.” from the report
Recording smaller concerns
minorThe manager recognised that the complaints record could better capture small concerns or 'niggles' so they could be dealt with early.
“The registered manager recognised complaints recording could be enhanced by capturing people's 'niggles' or concerns to prevent issues from escalating by addressing them at an early stage.” from the report
- 01What caused the recent medicine supply delays, and what has been agreed with the pharmacy and GP surgery to prevent them happening again?
- 02What changes have been made to the laundry layout, and how is it checked now?
- 03How many staff are usually on duty for each shift, and how do you respond when staff are off sick?
- 04How will my relative's interests, friendships and preferred activities be included in their care plan?
- 05How can relatives raise small concerns, and how are these recorded and followed up?
This was a planned first inspection of the newly registered care home and covered all five key questions; support for people in extra support housing was provided by another service. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 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.
Every inspection of Kenwith Castle Country House Care
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2023Goodcurrent ratingdown from OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Kenwith Castle Country House Care →
- October 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- February 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- January 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 June 2021.
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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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
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.