CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Kings House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Kings House was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and safe arrangements for visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The inspection took place on 31 March 2021. It was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors found the home was clean and free from clutter. Cleaning schedules, personal protective equipment, handwashing guidance, staff training, testing and infection control audits were in place.
The home had safe ways for people to visit relatives, including testing visitors, providing protective equipment and offering video calls. Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing infections and could manage an outbreak.
This was not a full inspection of the service. The home was inspected but not rated, so the report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for most areas of care.
Clean environment
The home was clean and clutter free, with detailed daily cleaning schedules. Staff understood the cleaning procedures.
“The service was clean and clutter free. The service had comprehensive cleaning schedules in place for day to day cleaning.” from the report
Protection from infection
Protective equipment and handwashing guidance were available. Staff had received extra training about COVID-19 and infection prevention.
“Personal protective equipment (PPE) was available in the service's office and reception areas.” from the report
Regular testing
People living in the home and staff were tested regularly, with additional lateral flow testing for staff.
“The service participated in the whole home testing programme, this meant people living in the home were tested for COVID-19 every 28 days.” from the report
Family contact
The home provided several ways for people to keep in touch with relatives, including planned visits, video calls and telephone calls.
“The service provided safe and effective ways for people to visit their relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now?
- 02How are relatives able to visit people living in the home now?
- 03How often are residents and staff tested for infections?
- 04What happens if someone living in the home or a member of staff tests positive?
- 05When was the last full inspection, and what ratings did it give for care beyond infection control?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; 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 22 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
Kings House was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, with staff changes and refurbishment still being managed.
This was a planned, unannounced inspection on 6 and 18 March 2019. One inspector spoke with six residents, four staff and the manager. They also checked care records, staff files, training records, incident records and management documents.
The home supported up to 18 adults with enduring mental health conditions. Inspectors found that people felt safe, were treated with kindness and had support plans that reflected their health, preferences and goals. Medicines, staffing, safeguarding and infection control were found to be managed safely.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home had also been rated Good at the previous inspection, published on 9 September 2016.
Kind and respectful care
People said staff treated them well and were supportive when they were worried or upset. Inspectors saw this reflected in their interactions.
“People told us staff treated them with kindness and respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Support plans covered mental and physical health, social needs and living skills. People were involved in planning and reviewing their support.
“Support plans were holistic and personalised. They addressed people's mental and physical health, as well as social needs and living skills.” from the report
Promoting independence
People were encouraged to make choices, manage everyday tasks and take part in activities and hobbies in the home and community.
“Staff promoted independence, whilst understanding that some people wished to become more independent than others.” from the report
Open management
Inspectors found regular audits, meetings and open reporting of incidents. Staff and people expressed confidence in the manager's leadership at the time.
“The service had an open, positive, person-centred culture.” from the report
Staff changes
needs fixingThere had been staff turnover and challenges filling vacancies. The home relied heavily on relief staff, and one person found the changes disruptive.
“There were challenges in recruiting to staff vacancies and the service relied heavily on relief staff to fill vacant shifts.” from the report
Manager recruitment
needs fixingThe registered manager had left after being away from work since July 2018. A senior staff member was acting as manager while recruitment for a permanent manager was under way.
“A senior member of staff had acted as manager since then. Recruitment for a permanent manager to become the next registered manager was under way.” from the report
Some areas looked worn
minorInspectors said parts of the premises were starting to look scruffy. Refurbishment had started, but the report does not say it was complete.
“Some parts of the premises were starting to look scruffy. Refurbishment was already under way.” from the report
- 01How many permanent staff are now in place, and how often are relief staff used?
- 02What has changed since the staff turnover described in the report?
- 03Who is the registered manager now, and how is the home being overseen?
- 04Which refurbishment work has been completed, and is any work still planned?
- 05How are residents involved in reviewing their support plans and choosing activities?
This planned inspection covered the overall service, the premises and care across all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 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 Kings House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 December 2010.
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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