CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Kirkstall Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found suitable staffing, risk assessments, safe recruitment, medicine systems and infection control arrangements.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had assessments and care plans based on their needs and choices. Staff were trained and supported, people could access healthcare, and the home supported nutrition and lawful decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind and compassionate and knew people's histories, preferences and wishes. People were involved in decisions and supported with dignity, privacy and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised, reviewed and developed with people and those close to them. Activities and communication methods reflected people's preferences and needs, and there had been no formal complaints since the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found supportive management, an open culture and regular communication with families. The provider had systems to monitor quality, learn from incidents and work with other services.
What inspectors found, June 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 31 May 2019. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, staff, relatives and outside health and social care professionals. Records about care, medicines, staffing and recruitment were also checked.
The five people living in the home received safe and person-centred support. Staff understood safeguarding, medicines, risks and people's health needs. People were supported to make choices, build independence, take part in activities and communicate in ways they could understand.
Inspectors found kind relationships, suitable staff training and good links with health professionals. The home had systems to monitor quality, respond to incidents and deal with complaints. All five areas were rated Good, the same as at the previous inspection published on 9 March 2017.
Safe medicines support
Staff were trained and assessed as competent to support people with medicines. The home had arrangements for medicine errors, 'when required' medicines and safe storage.
“People were safely supported with their medicines by a trained and competent staff team.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were encouraged to make choices about their care, food, activities and daily lives. Support focused on helping people gain skills and become more independent.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Personalised communication
Information was adapted so people could understand it, including easy-read material and picture prompts. Staff knew how to communicate with people effectively.
“People had information presented in a way that they found accessible and, in a format, they could easily comprehend.” from the report
Supportive leadership
The manager was present and approachable, and staff felt their views were valued. The provider monitored care quality and maintained links with community and healthcare services.
“Management and staff demonstrated a commitment to provide high quality, person-centred care through the culture they created among the workforce.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative to gain new skills and become more independent?
- 02How would staff communicate with my relative if they need easy-read information, pictures or other support?
- 03How are medicines checked, including 'when required' medicines, and what happens if there is an error?
- 04How would you involve me and my relative in reviewing the care plan and responding to changes in health or needs?
- 05What activities and community opportunities would be available based on my relative's interests?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the home environment. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 June 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.
What inspectors found, March 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, and confirmed that an earlier staff-support breach had been addressed.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 31 January 2017. One inspector spoke with three people using the home, three care staff and managers. They reviewed care and medicines records, staff files, complaints, incidents, audits and feedback from relatives and healthcare professionals.
The home supported up to six people with a learning disability. Four people were using it on the inspection day. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with dignity and supported by staff who understood their needs. Medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were sufficient, and people received support with food, drink and healthcare.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. At the previous inspection in November 2015, the home had breached a regulation because staff did not always receive suitable support. Inspectors found that the home had taken sufficient action and addressed this breach.
Safe medicines
Medicines records were completed accurately, medicines were stored securely and staff were trained and checked as competent.
“Medicines administration records were completed accurately each time a person received their medicine.” from the report
Kind relationships
Inspectors observed warm interactions. People said staff were kind, polite and respectful, and staff supported privacy and dignity.
“We observed staff interacting with people in a warm and caring manner and heard them speak respectfully about them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's preferences, health needs and routines. Staff supported people to make choices and do things for themselves.
“Care plans were detailed and staff had guidance on how to understand people's conditions and how to provide their support.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The manager used audits, daily checks, meetings and action plans to monitor the service and make improvements.
“Audit systems in place were used effectively to monitor the quality of the service and to make improvements.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure staff continue to receive regular supervision, training and appraisals?
- 02How often are care plans and risk assessments reviewed, and what happens when someone's needs change?
- 03How do you check that medicines are stored, administered and recorded safely?
- 04What activities and one-to-one support are available for this person, including support to go out?
- 05How is the wheelchair and access ramp working for people with mobility needs?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five question areas and following up the breach found at the November 2015 inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 March 2017 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 Kirkstall Lodge
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- June 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
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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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Lambeth
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 £1,250 a week. 76 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She cared for my mum with Alzheimer's with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude”
“She is just one of those people that looks around, sees what needs to be done and does it.”
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.