CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Lincoln Road
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection prevention arrangements. They were only somewhat assured because risk assessments for higher-risk staff had not been implemented and vaccination checks for visiting professionals were not recorded.
- Effective?
- Good
- This targeted inspection did not assess this question.
- Caring?
- Good
- This targeted inspection did not assess this question.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This targeted inspection did not assess this question.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This targeted inspection did not assess this question.
What inspectors found, April 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control arrangements, with gaps in risk assessments and vaccination checks.
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control. Inspectors visited on 02 March 2022 and gave 24 hours' notice. They also asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
The home provided short respite stays for up to 10 people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. Two people were staying there during the inspection.
Inspectors found good arrangements for visiting, testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing and safe admissions. They were only somewhat assured that infection outbreaks could be prevented or managed because risk assessments for higher-risk staff had not been completed. There was also no record of vaccination checks for visiting professionals.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or a rated judgement across all five areas of care.
Visiting arrangements
People could have visitors where they wished. Visitors were asked to complete a lateral flow test and wear personal protective equipment.
“People were supported to have access to visitors where they wished.” from the report
Cleaning and distancing
The home supported people to keep a safe distance in shared areas and used enhanced cleaning of frequently used areas.
“There were systems in place to mitigate the risk of infection through enhanced cleaning of frequently used areas.” from the report
COVID-19 controls
Inspectors were assured about testing, personal protective equipment, safe admissions, the layout and hygiene of the premises, and the infection prevention and control policy.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Risk assessments for higher-risk staff
needs fixingThe home had not completed risk assessments for staff in higher-risk groups. Inspectors signposted the provider to resources to improve its approach.
“The provider had not implemented risk assessments for staff who were in higher risk groups.” from the report
Vaccination check records
needs fixingThe home was meeting the current vaccination requirement for non-exempt staff and visiting professionals, but it did not have records showing that checks on visiting professionals had taken place.
“However, there was no record of vaccination checks on visiting professionals taking place and we were not asked for proof of vaccination during the visit.” from the report
- 01Have risk assessments now been completed for staff who are in higher-risk groups?
- 02How do you record vaccination checks for visiting professionals now?
- 03What arrangements are currently in place for visitor testing and personal protective equipment?
- 04How do you manage infection outbreaks if one occurs?
- 05What information can you provide about the areas of care that this targeted inspection did not assess?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 staffing pressures; it did not rate the service or assess all five questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 April 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, August 2019
Lincoln Road rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised respite care, with further communication training planned.
This was the first inspection since the home registered. It was unannounced and took place on 6 August 2019. The inspector observed care, spoke with relatives and staff, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home supported up to six people with learning and/or physical disabilities for short respite stays. Four people were staying there during the inspection. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines practice, a clean environment and good support for people's choices, health and independence.
Relatives were positive about the care and felt their family members were safe and happy. All five areas were rated Good: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
Safe staffing
Staffing levels were adjusted depending on who was staying, allowing people to receive support and go out for activities.
“Records showed that staffing levels were changed depending on who was staying in the home at any one time.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's preferences, and a consistent staff team knew people well.
“Care and support plans were personalised to ensure they reflected people's likes and dislikes.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to choose what to eat, when to get up and how to spend their day. Staff also encouraged people to do things for themselves.
“People were supported to make choices about everyday life in the home as much as possible.” from the report
Good oversight
Managers used audits, feedback and an improvement plan to monitor the home and act on issues.
“The provider carried out a monthly audit of the service and actions needed were put into an improvement plan which was monitored closely by managers.” from the report
Further communication training
minorThe manager had identified that staff needed more training about communication and had arranged sign language training. Families may want to check what training has since been completed.
“The registered manager had recognised the staff team would benefit from more training in this area and had arranged for some sign language training later this month.” from the report
- 01What communication training, including the planned sign language training, have staff completed since the inspection?
- 02How do you adjust staffing levels for each person's respite stay and their planned activities?
- 03How do you record and review medicines that are given crushed with food or drink?
- 04How will you support a person if they needs a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisation during their stay?
- 05How can relatives raise concerns, and what has been learned from complaints or compliments since this inspection?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering all five key questions; people using the service could not tell the inspector directly about their experiences, so observation and feedback from relatives were also used. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 August 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 Lincoln Road
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- April 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 August 2018.
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 Walsall
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 £950 to £1,200 a week. 85 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
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.