CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Northbrook Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks, medicines, staffing, recruitment and infection prevention were managed safely. Incidents were recorded and reviewed for lessons.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had completed relevant training and received supervision. People were supported with food choices, healthcare, communication and lawful decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were observed to be kind and respectful. People were involved in decisions and supported to maintain privacy, dignity and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and included daily routines, preferences and communication needs. People were supported with activities, community access and family relationships.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had regular audits, staff feedback systems and quality monitoring. Inspectors found an open and positive culture.
What inspectors found, August 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with good leadership across all five areas.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 31 July 2023. One inspector spoke with three people living at the home, two relatives and two staff. They also observed care and checked care plans, medicines, training and quality records.
The home supported five people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found suitable risk assessments, safe medicines systems, enough staff and appropriate recruitment checks. People were treated with kindness and respect, involved in choices, and supported to stay in touch with family and take part in activities.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating and the same rating for each area as at the previous inspection, published on 25 April 2018.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to support people safely. Medicines were stored, given and checked through regular audits.
“Medicines were being managed safely.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's routines, choices and support needs. People were involved as much as possible in developing their plans.
“People were placed at the centre of their care plans and it was clear from how the care plans were written that people were involved as much as possible to develop the care plan.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff treated people with kindness and respected their privacy, dignity, independence and personal choices.
“We observed that staff had a positive relationship with people and spoke to them in a caring way.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to take part in indoor and outdoor activities, use local community facilities and keep in contact with family and friends.
“People were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends, and to engage in meaningful activities.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The management team used audits, meetings and surveys to monitor the home and collect feedback from people, relatives and staff.
“Quality assurance systems were in place to ensure shortfalls could be identified and action taken to ensure people were safe at all times.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess whether my relative's health and support needs can be met before they move in?
- 02How are people involved in writing and reviewing their care plans?
- 03What activities and community visits could be offered to my relative, based on their interests?
- 04How would you support my relative's communication needs, including when they feel anxious?
- 05How do you involve families in decisions about care and in giving feedback or raising concerns?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises, care provided and infection prevention and control. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 August 2023 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 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 23 November 2017. The inspector reviewed records, observed staff and people living at the home, and spoke with one person, two staff members and the registered manager. Three people were living at the home, which can support up to four people with learning disabilities and mental health support needs.
Inspectors found suitable safeguarding training, enough staff, safe medicines management and detailed risk assessments. Staff supported people respectfully and helped them make choices, stay as independent as possible, join activities and maintain contact with family and health professionals.
Care plans were up to date and written in plain English, with picture-assisted versions. The home had systems to check quality and act on problems. Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good. The previous comprehensive inspection had rated Safe and Responsive as requiring improvement, but a focused inspection in January 2017 found that the identified failures had been addressed.
Safeguarding and risk management
Staff understood how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns. Risk assessments covered individual risks and gave staff detailed instructions.
“The risk assessments included detailed guidance for staff on how risks should be managed.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's history, preferences, communication needs, cultural and spiritual needs, and support strategies.
“Care plans were up to date and person centred, and contained guidance for staff in relation to meeting people's identified needs.” from the report
Activities and community life
People were supported to take part in activities, community outings, day services and holidays, according to their choices.
“People participated in a range of activities within the local community that included shopping, walks and meals out.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home carried out regular checks on care, safety and records. Inspectors found that actions identified through these checks had been addressed.
“Where actions had been identified as a result of these reviews, we saw evidence that these had been acted on and addressed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure staffing levels remain sufficient for my relative's needs, including at night?
- 02How often will my relative's care plan and risk assessments be reviewed, and how will they be involved?
- 03How will you support my relative's specific health needs, appointments, medicines and communication needs?
- 04What activities, community outings and holidays are available, and how are choices about them made?
- 05How can my relative or our family raise a complaint, and how will we be told about the outcome?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, based on records, observations and discussions with one person, two staff members and the registered manager. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 April 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 Northbrook Care Home
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- August 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodResponsive: Good
- November 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Redbridge
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 £1,250 a week. 75 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Sidonia is a first class live-in carer whose dedication and thoughtfulness made her stay a happy experience.”
“Charity would take Nan on holidays day trips and shopping adventures”
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.