CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Newlands
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe and staff understood how to manage risks, including safe moving and support during meals. Medicines, infection control, staffing and recruitment systems were also judged safe.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed with input from health and social care professionals. Staff had training and supervision, and people were supported with meals, appointments, activities and decisions about their care.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described and observed as kind, warm and respectful. People were involved in day-to-day decisions, and families or advocates were involved where appropriate.
- Responsive?
- Good
- People received personalised support for their interests, communication needs and community links. A complaints system was in place, and staff understood how to support end of life care.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People and staff felt supported by the management team. Audits, reviews, an improvement plan and work with outside organisations were used to monitor and improve care.
What inspectors found, September 2019
Newlands was rated Good, down from Outstanding at the previous inspection; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care.
This was an unannounced inspection on 11 and 14 June 2019. The inspectors spoke with people living in the home, staff and managers. They reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment and training records, and management information.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people felt safe, staff understood their needs, medicines were managed safely, and people were supported with food, healthcare, activities and decisions about their care.
The rating was lower than the previous Outstanding rating published in 2016. The report still describes consistently good care. It also records that some work was ongoing, including redecoration and changes to care plans.
Safe support and risk planning
Detailed risk assessments helped people take part in activities and remain independent while receiving support safely.
“People could take part in activities of their choosing, maintain their independence and receive care and support safely because detailed risk assessments were carried out.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff showing warmth and kindness. Staff knew people well and respected their wishes, dignity and individuality.
“We saw demonstrate warmth and kindness towards people.” from the report
Personalised activities
People were supported to follow individual interests, attend outings and maintain important links with their communities.
“The activities lead discussed how they ensured people received individual support to pursue activities of interest to them.” from the report
Good involvement in care
People were included in everyday choices, with families and advocates involved where appropriate.
“People were involved in day to day decisions about their care.” from the report
Active management oversight
Managers used audits, reviews and performance information to monitor care and identify improvements.
“Regular audits and reviews of practices took place.” from the report
Some improvement work was unfinished
minorGeneral redecoration was still ongoing. Relatives had identified it as a priority, so families may want to ask what has since been completed.
“General redecoration was ongoing and had been highlighted by relatives as a priority.” from the report
Care plans were being changed
minorCare plans were being overhauled to make them more person-centred. Ask how this work was completed and how current care plans are kept up to date.
“Care plans were in the process of being overhauled to reflect an "I like…" perspective.” from the report
- 01What changes were made to the care plans that were being overhauled to reflect each person's likes and preferences?
- 02Has the general redecoration identified as a priority by relatives now been completed?
- 03How do you use the dependency tool to make sure staffing levels match people's needs?
- 04How do you check that staff have the specialist training needed for people's individual health conditions?
- 05What actions are currently on the home's improvement plan, and how are they monitored?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five quality areas, and CQC looked at both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 September 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.
What inspectors found, October 2016
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptional person-centred care, with Safe and Effective rated Good.
Inspectors visited on 20 and 25 July 2016. The first visit was unannounced and the second was announced. They spoke with people living at the home, a relative, staff and health professionals. They also reviewed care files, medicines records, staff files and quality checks.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring, Responsive and Well-led were rated Outstanding. Safe and Effective were rated Good. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, suitable training, safe medicines systems and good support for people's health and nutrition.
People were closely involved in planning their care and making choices. Staff used creative communication methods and supported people to remain independent, follow their interests, keep relationships and take part in community life.
The previous inspection in July 2014 found the provider compliant with the essential standards then in use. This report describes a strong culture of learning from feedback, complaints, incidents and audits.
Personal choice
People planned their own care and were supported to make everyday decisions. Staff adapted their communication so people could express choices in different ways.
“The service had a strong, visible person centred culture and was exceptional at helping people to express their views.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People described the care as excellent. Staff supported dignity, privacy, appearance and personal relationships.
“People, relatives and visitors told us the care and support they received was excellent.” from the report
Independence and activities
People were supported to keep working, study, follow hobbies, do household tasks and take part in community activities. Their activity plans helped staff build on their goals.
“Staff offered people ways to maintain and develop their independence and increase their life skills.” from the report
Strong leadership
Managers were experienced and accessible. Staff at all levels were involved in checking quality and using learning to improve the home.
“Excellent quality assurance procedures were in place across the provider's group of homes to exploit learning opportunities wherever possible.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs safely. Medicines were administered by trained staff and checked regularly.
“There were enough staff employed at the service to care for people safely and effectively.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you adapt communication so my relative can express choices and consent?
- 02How would you support my relative's own hobbies, work, education, community activities or family visits?
- 03How are staffing levels reviewed if my relative's needs or health change?
- 04How do you make sure medicines are administered safely and records remain accurate?
- 05What has changed at the home since the July 2016 inspection?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating; the first visit was unannounced and the second was announced. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 October 2016 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 Newlands
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has slipped, from Outstanding to Good.
- September 2019Goodcurrent ratingdown from OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2016OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 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 Warwickshire
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 £1,260 a week. 77 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
“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.