CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Lancaster House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Risk assessments, staffing, recruitment checks, fire safety and infection control were found to be suitable. Medicines were stored safely and records had no gaps, but written directions for some as-required medicines were not in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had choice and control over their lives. Staff received induction, training, supervision and appraisals, and people were supported with meals, health appointments and rehabilitation.
- Caring?
- Good
- People described staff as kind and caring. Inspectors saw respectful interactions, and records included people's preferences, backgrounds, relationships and cultural or spiritual needs.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support plans were detailed and person-centred. People were supported to set goals, use the local community, pursue interests and prepare for more independent living.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People and staff said managers were approachable, and audits and meetings were in place. Recent survey responses had been returned but had not yet been analysed.
What inspectors found, October 2018
Lancaster House rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred support, with a minor gap in guidance for some medicines.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 14 September 2018. One inspector spoke with people living in the home and staff, looked around the building, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment, training and quality checks. Eight people were living there on the day, although the home can support ten adults.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable risk assessments, safe medicine systems, enough staff and appropriate recruitment checks. Staff were trained and supported, and people had access to health professionals.
People told inspectors staff were kind and respectful. Support plans recorded people's choices, needs and goals, and people were encouraged to build independence. Inspectors noted that the overall Good rating had not changed since the previous inspection.
Safe staffing
People and staff said there were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks included references, identity checks and DBS checks.
“People we spoke with told us there were always enough staff on duty.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff treating people with kindness, sensitivity and respect. People also said staff were kind and caring.
“Throughout our inspection we saw staff treated people in a kind, sensitive and respectful manner.” from the report
Support for independence
The home helped people develop life skills and work towards moving to less supported accommodation. People were supported to set realistic goals and take part in community activities.
“We saw detailed, person centred support plans were in place.” from the report
Good management systems
The home had a registered manager, regular audits, staff meetings and a residents' forum. Inspectors found that management and leadership achieved good outcomes.
“The service's management and leadership processes achieved good outcomes for people.” from the report
Guidance for as-required medicines
needs fixingThere were no written protocols to guide staff when giving medicines taken only when needed. The manager said these would be put in place.
“We found there were no protocols in place for those medicines given 'as required', to direct staff.” from the report
Feedback not yet analysed
minorRecent surveys had been returned but had not yet been analysed. This could limit how quickly the home identifies themes in people's feedback.
“These had recently been returned and had not been analysed.” from the report
- 01What written protocols are now in place for medicines given as required?
- 02How do you check that staff follow those protocols safely?
- 03What did the recent resident surveys show, and what actions were taken after analysing them?
- 04How are people's individual goals reviewed and updated?
- 05How many staff are normally on duty, and how is cover arranged when someone is absent?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, and all five ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 October 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 Lancaster House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Blackburn with Darwen
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 £1,260 a week. 91 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
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.