CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Northcroft
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed through visitor checks, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning, social distancing and outbreak plans. The full Safe rating was not reviewed.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, October 2020
Northcroft was rated Good overall; inspectors found strong infection control, but this was only a targeted inspection.
The announced inspection took place on 12 October 2020. It was a targeted review of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found clear entry procedures for staff and visitors. These included temperature checks, hand sanitiser and masks. Staff used personal protective equipment, received infection control training and were tested weekly. People living at the home were tested monthly.
The home was clean, well-aired and fresh-smelling. Inspectors were assured that the home managed visitors, social distancing, testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning and possible outbreaks safely.
The overall service rating was Good. Safe was inspected but not rated because only part of that area was reviewed. The previous Safe rating was Good.
Strong visitor controls
Visitors had clear procedures to follow when entering the home. Families were told about the infection control arrangements.
“Everybody had their temperature checked, were asked to sanitise their hands and wear a mask.” from the report
Safe family visits
The provider arranged a separate venue for winter visits so families could meet while keeping apart.
“This venue was for their sole use and facilitated social distancing.” from the report
Activities during restrictions
People were offered online activities and a holiday-at-home programme, including camping, a barbecue, a camp fire and a bar.
“Staff at Northcroft facilitated a holiday at home as people could not go away due to risks.” from the report
Testing and protective equipment
Staff were tested weekly and people living at the home monthly. Staff had infection control training and used masks and other protective equipment as needed.
“Staff were tested for Covid-19 weekly and people living at the service monthly.” from the report
Clean premises and outbreak planning
Inspectors saw a regular cleaning schedule and found the premises clean and well-aired. The home had plans for suspected outbreaks and for isolation.
“There was a regular schedule of cleaning at the service and we noted that the premises were clean, well-aired and smelt fresh.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your visitor procedures and visiting arrangements changed since the October 2020 inspection?
- 02What testing arrangements are currently in place for staff and people living at the home?
- 03How would you manage a suspected infection outbreak, including any need for people to isolate?
- 04How do staff use personal protective equipment and maintain social distancing while supporting residents?
- 05What activities and family contact are available if visiting is restricted?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control; Safe was only partly reviewed and was not rated again, while the previous Safe rating was Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 October 2020 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, September 2019
Northcroft rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and highly personalised care, with staff supervision identified for improvement.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 2 August 2019. They spoke with all eight people living at the home, staff and managers. They observed care and checked care records, medicines, staff files, policies and safety systems.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People told inspectors they were happy and felt safe. Staff were described as kind, caring and knowledgeable about the people they supported.
Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, personalised care plans and good links with health and social care professionals. People were supported to make choices, build independence, take part in activities and maintain relationships.
The report says managers used audits and investigations to identify improvements. It also says the quality of staff supervision needed to improve and that an action plan was in place. The overall rating remained Good, the same as at the previous inspection published in January 2017.
Personalised care
Care plans gave staff detailed information about each person's needs, wishes, likes and dislikes. People were involved in writing and reviewing their plans.
“People had care plans which were extremely personalised and provided a range of information for staff to use to support their needs and wishes.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw positive relationships between people and staff. Privacy, dignity, equality and personal relationships were respected.
“Staff were kind and caring and knew the people living at the home incredibly well.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions, go out with limited support and develop daily living, work and community skills.
“The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion.” from the report
Activities and community links
People took part in activities suited to their interests, including sport, holidays, gardening, music and community events. Some activities supported possible employment.
“People participated in a wide range of activities both within and outside of the home.” from the report
Staffing and safety
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks, risk assessments, medicines systems and infection controls were in place.
“There were sufficient staff employed to keep people safe and to meet their needs.” from the report
Staff supervision
needs fixingManagers had identified that the quality of staff supervision needed to improve. An action plan was in place, so families should ask what progress has been made.
“They had recognised the quality of staff supervision required improvement.” from the report
- 01What improvements have been made to the quality and frequency of staff supervision since this inspection?
- 02What was the recent significant incident mentioned in the report, and what changes were made as a result?
- 03How will you make sure agency staff continue to provide consistent support for my relative?
- 04How would my relative be involved in writing and reviewing their care plan, especially if they communicate in a non-verbal or visual way?
- 05What activities and opportunities for independence could be offered to my relative based on their interests and support needs?
This was an unannounced planned inspection that assessed the whole care home and all five CQC key questions; all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 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.
Every inspection of Northcroft
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2019Goodstayed Good
- January 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 November 2013.
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
76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,020 to £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.