CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Larkrise
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention measures were in place, including safe use of protective equipment, testing, visiting arrangements and outbreak management. The provider also said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for visits, routines and communication during COVID-19.
This was a targeted inspection on 25 January 2022. It checked infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19. The inspection was announced two days beforehand.
Inspectors said they were assured that the home was using protective equipment safely, supporting testing, managing outbreaks, keeping its policy up to date and following visiting arrangements. They were also assured that the home was meeting the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for non-exempt staff and visiting professionals.
The home adapted spaces for visits and helped people keep in touch with relatives through video calls when needed. Staff used pictures and social stories to explain COVID-19, and found alternative activities when usual community activities were restricted.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a new overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Family contact
The home created indoor and outdoor spaces for visits and supported video calls when relatives could not visit in person.
“The service had adapted areas around the home to accommodate visits from friends and relatives while reducing the risk of infection.” from the report
Clear communication
Staff used accessible explanations to help people understand COVID-19 symptoms and why protective equipment was important.
“Staff used social stories to help people understand what the symptoms of COVID-19 were and how it may make them feel.” from the report
Maintaining routines
Staff supported people to continue activities and created alternatives when community activities were restricted or someone needed to isolate.
“Staff understood the importance of people's routines and supported people to take part in alternative activities during COVID-19 when some community activities were restricted.” from the report
Infection controls
Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable arrangements for protective equipment, testing, hygiene, admissions and managing outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and how have they changed since this inspection?
- 02How can relatives visit, including when there is an infection risk or an outbreak?
- 03How will staff help my relative understand health information and changes to their routine?
- 04What activities are available if my relative cannot take part in usual community activities?
- 05How do you manage staffing pressures and make sure they do not affect people's care?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 February 2022 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, December 2019
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found highly person-centred care, strong outcomes and good safety, caring and leadership.
This was an unannounced inspection on 15 and 17 October 2019. The inspector observed care, spoke with staff, relatives and professionals, and checked care, medicines, staff and management records. Both the care home and the personal care provided in the supported living setting were looked at.
People were supported as individuals and encouraged to make choices, learn skills and become more independent. Inspectors found excellent communication methods for people who did not communicate verbally, strong support with health care, and a wide range of meaningful activities.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Effective and Responsive were Outstanding. Safe, Caring and Well-led were Good. This means inspectors found consistently high-quality care, with especially exceptional outcomes and responsiveness.
Communication
The home used pictures, signs, social stories and push buttons to help people express choices, feelings and needs.
“All of these methods were observed and in use during our inspection and meant people were easily able to have conversations with staff and express their views and choices.” from the report
Health and independence
Staff worked with people to improve health, confidence and independence. Inspectors found examples of positive changes in eating, mobility and access to activities.
“Staff knew people well and were committed to promoting people's health and wellbeing.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to enjoy activities inside the home, in the community and with family members. Staff helped people try new experiences in ways that reduced anxiety.
“There was a wide variety of activities for people both inside the service and outside in the community, which were tailored around people's individual hobbies and interests.” from the report
Safety and staffing
Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment and well-managed medicines. Staff understood people's risks and supported positive risk-taking safely.
“There were enough staff on duty to keep people safe.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What restrictive interventions might be used for my relative, and how do you make sure they are only used as a last resort?
- 02Which communication methods would you use to help my relative express pain, choices and worries?
- 03How would you support my relative to develop independence and learn new skills?
- 04How would you introduce my relative to the home and reduce anxiety during the move?
- 05How would you involve our family in care planning, activities and important decisions?
This was an unannounced inspection of all five key questions, covering the care home and people's personal care and support in the supported living setting; CQC did not regulate the supported living premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 December 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 Larkrise
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- October 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 October 2016.
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 Sutton
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 £1,230 a week. 81 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”
“Terry has been of invaluable help to our family while working as a part-time live-in carer for our mother for approximately 6 months”
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.