CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 3 Cracknell Close
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, clear safeguarding arrangements, suitable risk assessments and safe medicines systems. The premises and equipment were maintained and clean.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and supervised, and worked with health professionals to meet people's needs. People had choice about food and were supported with healthy eating and healthcare.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff had warm, respectful relationships with people and knew their preferences well. Care plans supported privacy, dignity, choice and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were detailed and reviewed when people's needs changed. People had activities and community opportunities that matched their interests, and family contact was supported.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager was visible and approachable, and staff worked as a team. Audits, meetings and feedback systems were used to monitor and improve the service.
What inspectors found, February 2018
Nationwide Community Care Limited - 3 Cracknell Close was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some areas still to develop.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 30 January 2018. One inspector spoke with people using the service, staff, the manager and a relative. They also observed care and checked care plans, medicines, staffing, safety and quality records.
The home supported up to three people with a learning disability, and three people were living there at the time. Inspectors found safe medicines systems, enough staff, suitable risk assessments, well-maintained premises and staff who understood people's needs. People had choice, support to stay independent, access to activities and contact with family.
All five areas were rated Good: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. The home was rated Good at the previous inspection in January 2016, so the overall rating remained unchanged.
Kind and familiar staff
Staff had good relationships with people and understood their likes, dislikes and support needs. Inspectors saw warm and light-hearted interactions.
“Some staff had worked with individuals for many years and spoke about them with genuine affection and empathy.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's choices and preferences in accessible formats. Staff supported people to make choices, build skills and remain independent.
“This meant staff had the guidance to ensure people received individualised care.” from the report
Safe medicines and risk management
Medicines were securely stored, checked against records and supported by clear instructions. Risk assessments explained how staff should reduce risks and keep people safe.
“Medication was securely stored and temperatures were recorded to ensure that medication was being stored within the recommended levels.” from the report
Good community life
People were supported to take part in college, employment, hobbies, meals out and other activities. Their cultural needs and important relationships were also supported.
“People had good access to their local community and a range of interesting activities.” from the report
Further staff qualifications
minorThe manager said some staff were completing additional qualifications, but identified this as an area the home could develop further.
“The registered manager told us that a number of staff were competing additional qualifications such as QCF (qualification and credit framework) but they had identified that this was an area which they could develop further.” from the report
End-of-life wishes
minorNo one needed end-of-life support during the inspection. Staff understood the importance of this, but the home planned to develop this area further.
“While no one was receiving end of life support, staff were aware of the issues and importance of helping people make their wishes known.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made with the additional staff qualifications identified as an area for development?
- 02How will you record and review each person's wishes about end-of-life care?
- 03How often are medicines audited, and what happens if an issue is found?
- 04How are people's care plans reviewed when their health or support needs change?
- 05How will you support the activities, college, employment and community interests that matter to the person?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the accommodation and personal care provided to three people. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 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.
Every inspection of 3 Cracknell Close
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 March 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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
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