CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 18 Leafdown Close
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- The person said they felt safe. Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, medicines were taken safely, safeguarding arrangements were understood and infection control measures were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- The person was involved in planning their care and received support with food, healthcare and communication. Inspectors found that the provider understood the person's needs and followed relevant professional advice.
- Caring?
- Good
- The person described the provider as kind and said they were involved in decisions. Inspectors observed respectful interactions and found that privacy, dignity, independence and personal preferences were respected.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was planned around the person's wishes and communication needs. The person took part in activities and community life, and there had been no complaints since the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The provider created a person-centred and open culture. They worked with healthcare professionals, reviewed care and risks, and supported the person to give feedback.
What inspectors found, April 2022
Mrs Valerie Bullman - 18 Leafdown Close was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care.
The inspection took place on 28 September 2021. One inspector spoke with the person living in the home and the provider. They observed care and reviewed care and management records.
The person was supported to make choices, stay independent and take part in activities they enjoyed. Inspectors found the home was clean and homely, medicines were managed safely, and the person's risks and healthcare needs were understood.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall and key-question rating as the previous inspection, published in February 2019.
Choice and independence
The person was involved in decisions and was supported to live as independently as possible, both at home and in the community.
“The person was given the autonomy to be independent and where needed the provider supported the person to maintain their independence.” from the report
Person-centred care
The provider understood the person's abilities, needs and preferences, and placed them at the centre of care planning.
“The person was supported by the provider who knew them well and their care was person-centred which had them at the heart of every decision made.” from the report
Safe medicines support
The person administered their own medicines, with support to organise them. Records were signed and weekly stock checks were completed.
“The person was administered their own medicines and we saw this was done safely.” from the report
Clean and homely home
Inspectors found the domestic home was clean, homely and accessible, with infection control measures in place.
“The home was kept clean and infection prevention control measures were in place to reduce the risks associated with COVID-19.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would support be arranged if the provider could no longer care for my relative?
- 02How would you support my relative to take their own medicines safely if their needs changed?
- 03How would you review risks connected with my relative going out in the community?
- 04How would you make sure my relative remains involved in decisions about their care?
- 05Which activities, trips and community opportunities would be available for my relative?
This inspection assessed all five CQC key questions for the one person living in the home and included infection prevention and control measures. 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, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection-control practice, with some resources suggested for further development.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 12 March 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than carrying out a full assessment of the home.
The home supported one person. Inspectors found it was clean and that the provider was following guidance on testing, personal protective equipment, social distancing and shielding.
Inspectors were assured that the home promoted safe hygiene, helped prevent or manage infection outbreaks, and supported safe access to the community. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate rating.
Clean home
Inspectors found the home clean and noted that the provider understood the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
“The home was kept clean. The provider understood the importance of maintaining a high standard of cleanliness.” from the report
COVID-19 testing
The person living at the home and the provider were supported to access regular COVID-19 testing in line with government guidance.
“The provider supported the person to undertake COVID-19 testing in accordance with government guidance.” from the report
Safe community access
The home supported the person to access the community safely and helped them understand COVID-19 and how to reduce risks.
“The provider supported the person to access the community in a safe way.” from the report
Infection-control arrangements
Inspectors were assured that PPE, hygiene, social distancing and outbreak arrangements were being used appropriately.
“We were assured the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Further development suggested
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its infection-control approach. The report does not explain what specific changes were needed.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What resources were you signposted to, and what changes have you made as a result?
- 02How will you arrange COVID-19 testing for my relative and the provider?
- 03How do you use PPE and maintain hygiene and social distancing in the home?
- 04How would you respond if there was an infection outbreak?
- 05How would my relative be supported to access the community safely?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it was not a full inspection and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 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.
Every inspection of 18 Leafdown Close
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 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 Staffordshire
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. 85 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.