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 staff, safe recruitment checks, detailed risk assessments and safe medicines management. The building was clean, well maintained and accessible.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and support, including training for autism, epilepsy and positive behaviour support. People's nutrition and health needs were supported with help from health professionals.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were attentive and respectful, knew people well and promoted their dignity, privacy and independence. Relatives and a professional spoke highly of the staff's kindness.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was tailored to people's needs, routines and preferences. People were supported with communication, activities, changing health needs and ways to raise concerns.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The registered manager had oversight through regular audits and sought feedback from people, relatives, staff and professionals. Staff and relatives described the management positively.
What inspectors found, January 2019
Oak Lodge was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
The inspection was announced and took place on 13 December 2018. One inspector reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files, training, rotas, incidents, complaints and other records. They observed daily care and spoke with staff, relatives and a health professional.
The home supported six people with learning disabilities and some physical or sensory disabilities. Inspectors found enough safely recruited staff, safe medicines practice, suitable risk assessments and a clean, accessible environment.
People were supported to make choices and stay as independent as possible. Staff knew people well, respected their privacy and communication needs, and provided activities suited to their interests. Inspectors found the home was well managed and that relatives and professionals were positive about the care.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection also rated the home Good, so the rating was unchanged.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicines were given by trained staff and records showed they were given as prescribed.
“People's medicines were managed so that they received them safely.” from the report
Kind relationships
Staff knew people well and interactions were warm, cheerful and respectful. Relatives and a professional also described the care as kind.
“We observed interactions between staff and people throughout the day and staff were attentive and respectful.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions, use communication tools and do things for themselves. Their privacy, dignity and personal preferences were respected.
“We saw that people were enabled to be as independent as possible.” from the report
Personalised activities
The home offered varied activities and responded to people's interests, including animals, travel and community events.
“People were consistently offered a wide range of activities to promote people's health and social wellbeing.” from the report
Good management oversight
The manager used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor the service and make improvements. Staff, relatives and professionals spoke positively about the leadership.
“The registered manager had good oversight of the service and the people living there.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's specific communication needs, including the use of pictures, signs or communication technology?
- 02What training and experience do staff have in supporting my relative's health conditions and any behaviours that may cause anxiety?
- 03How would you involve my relative and our family in care plan reviews and decisions about day-to-day activities?
- 04What activities are currently available, and how do you make sure they match each person's interests and wishes?
- 05How are medicines, risks and changing health needs monitored and communicated to families?
This was an announced inspection of all five key questions; the report used a shorter format because the overall Good rating had not changed since the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 January 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 Oak Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 December 2010.
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
19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
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.