CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at National Star College - Ullenwood
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Outstanding
- People were supported to take positive risks safely and their risks were continually assessed. Recruitment, safeguarding, staffing and medicines systems were found to be robust.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- Staff received extensive, personalised training and worked closely with health professionals. Assistive technology was used to improve communication, health, independence and control.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors saw compassionate relationships and found that people were involved in their care. Staff supported communication, emotional wellbeing, cultural needs and personal choices.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care plans reflected people's preferences and needs. Activities, communication support and services were adapted to support equality, diversity, faith, relationships and future aspirations.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- The leadership team had a clear vision and a strong positive culture. Quality checks, partnership working and improvement work were used to maintain high standards.
What inspectors found, February 2018
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally safe, caring and person-centred support across all five areas.
This was an unannounced inspection over three days in November 2017. Inspectors spoke with 27 young people, 26 staff members, eight relatives and five health and social care professionals. They looked at 15 people's records and records about staffing, training, medicines and quality checks.
The inspectors found that people were kept safe and supported to take positive risks. Care plans were detailed and personal. Staff were well trained, medicines were managed safely, and people had good access to health professionals.
People and relatives described staff as kind, skilled and compassionate. The home used communication aids and other technology to support choice, independence and involvement. Activities were tailored to people's needs, interests and goals.
The overall rating was Outstanding. Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Outstanding. The previous inspection in June 2015 had also rated the service Outstanding overall, with no breaches of regulation.
Positive risk-taking
The home supported people to pursue activities and goals while carefully assessing and managing risks. This included holidays, travel training and other opportunities for independence.
“Staff promoted a culture that anything was possible within the framework of assessing risk, without being risk averse.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff received detailed training tailored to the complex needs of the people living at the home. Training was reviewed and adapted when people's needs changed.
“The service had developed very thorough training programmes for their staff.” from the report
Kind and compassionate care
People and relatives consistently praised staff for their kindness and commitment. Inspectors saw genuine respect and fondness between staff and the people supported.
“Throughout this inspection it was evident that young people were cared for with compassion and kindness and the actions of staff showed that people really mattered.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected individual needs and preferences. People were involved in decisions about their care, accommodation, activities and daily lives.
“Each person had their own detailed care plan which was extensive and clearly reflected their preferences.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and manage my relative's individual risks while still supporting their choices and activities?
- 02What communication aids or assistive technology could be provided for my relative, and how would staff learn to use them?
- 03What specialist training would the staff supporting my relative receive for their health and care needs?
- 04How would my relative be involved in writing and reviewing their care plan?
- 05How would you support my relative's cultural, religious, gender or relationship needs?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering residential accommodation, healthcare provision and care and support outside the educational curriculum; no one was receiving personal care from the service in their own home. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 February 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of National Star College - Ullenwood
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Outstanding rating throughout.
- February 2018Outstandingcurrent ratingstayed OutstandingSafe: OutstandingEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
Read what inspectors found at National Star College - Ullenwood →
- August 2015OutstandingSafe: OutstandingEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 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.
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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.