CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Oak Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough suitable staff, clear medicines records, individual risk assessments and safe infection control. People said they felt safe and trusted staff.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its rating was carried over from the previous inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its rating was carried over from the previous inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. Its rating was carried over from the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a positive and open culture, clear management systems, regular audits, staff training and involvement of people and relatives.
What inspectors found, November 2023
Rated Good; the focused inspection found safe care and strong management, but it did not reassess all five areas.
The inspection took place on 22 October 2023. One inspector spoke with five people, staff and the manager, reviewed care, medicines and management records, and later contacted relatives and staff.
Inspectors found people were safe, supported by enough trained staff, and received their medicines properly. Risks were assessed, the home was clean and well maintained, and people were supported to make choices and build independence.
The home was also judged well-led. Inspectors found open management, regular audits, staff training and support, and good involvement of people and relatives. The overall rating was Good, the same as at the previous inspection in 2018.
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only. The ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried over from the previous inspection rather than reassessed.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found there were enough suitable staff who knew people well and had the right training.
“People were supported by safe numbers of staff who knew them well and had received appropriate training for their roles.” from the report
Independence
People were supported to take part in everyday tasks such as cooking, personal care and cleaning their rooms.
“People were encouraged, with the right support, to take ownership of daily living activities.” from the report
Good management oversight
The managers used audits and an electronic quality system to track care and identify actions for improvement.
“The registered manager and deputy manager undertook robust auditing processes with any actions required clearly identified.” from the report
People's involvement
People could influence how the home was run. Inspectors saw that a requested games room was being created.
“People were supported to have their say in the running of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current ratings and evidence for Effective, Caring and Responsive, given that these areas were carried over from 2018?
- 02How will you support my relative to take part in daily living activities and develop their independence?
- 03How do you make sure medicines records remain clear and that medicines are reviewed in line with the STOMP principles?
- 04What individual risk assessments will be in place for my relative's community activities?
- 05How will my relative and our family be involved in setting goals and making decisions about their care?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were carried over from the 2018 inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 November 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, September 2018
Oak Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with no serious concerns.
This was a planned, announced comprehensive inspection on 4 May 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines records, staff files, complaints information and quality checks.
The home supported nine younger adults with learning disabilities or autism. Inspectors found that people were kept safe, had suitable staff support and received their medicines safely. Staff had the training and knowledge needed to support people's health, choices and daily lives.
People were treated with kindness and involved in decisions about their care. They were supported to take part in education, work, hobbies and community activities. The home had systems for checking quality and dealing with concerns.
The overall rating was Good, and each of the five areas was also rated Good. This means inspectors found the service met the required standards at the time of this inspection. The previous overall rating was also Good.
Safe medicines
The medicines records checked were complete, and staff had been assessed as competent to administer medicines.
“We looked at medicine administration records (MAR) for four people and found that medicines had been given consistently and there were no gaps in the MAR charts.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in everyday decisions and could choose their key worker. They were supported to take part in work, education, hobbies and community life.
“People were offered choice and control over their lives.” from the report
Kind care
Inspectors observed caring interactions, and people and relatives said staff looked after people well.
“We saw that people were cared for by kind, caring and compassionate staff.” from the report
Strong quality checks
The provider used regular audits and quality visits to check important areas and create action plans where needed.
“A programme of regular audit was in place that covered key areas such as health and safety, medicines and infection control.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you decide the number and skills of staff needed each day as people's activities and support needs change?
- 02How will my relative be involved in choosing their key worker and making decisions about their care?
- 03How do you support people to take part in work, education, hobbies and activities in the local community?
- 04How do you make sure medicines, including as-required medicines, are given safely and recorded correctly?
- 05What do your regular audits and quality visits show, and what improvements are currently being followed up?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, with observations, discussions and checks of selected records. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 September 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 Oak Lodge
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 May 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
9 live-in carers within about an hour of Lincolnshire
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.
8 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
“Magda was always positive and proactive about trying new things to keep dad busy. She also introduced new ideas for keeping dad healthy.”
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.