CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Oaklands
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines arrangements, safeguarding procedures and infection control measures. Some risk information needed updating or was held in different places during the move to electronic records.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found open and committed leadership, with relatives feeling listened to and involved. Further work was needed to develop and maintain quality monitoring systems during the move to electronic records.
What inspectors found, July 2023
Oaklands was rated Good; inspectors found safe, person-centred care, but records and quality checks still needed further work.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 05 and 06 June 2023. Inspectors reviewed the Safe and Well-led areas only. They spoke with staff, relatives and professionals, observed people in a communal area, and checked care, staffing, recruitment and management records.
Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines systems, appropriate safeguarding arrangements and effective infection control. People were supported to make choices, take part in activities and receive care in the least restrictive way possible.
The management team was described as open, knowledgeable and committed to improvement. However, some risk information needed updating or was held in different places while records were moved to an electronic system. Further work was also needed on quality checks, staff supervision and care plan reviews.
The overall rating was Good, the same as at the previous inspection on 15 November 2017. The other three key question ratings were carried forward because they were not inspected this time.
Safe staffing
There were enough staff to meet people's needs, including one-to-one or two-to-one support where required. Recruitment checks and staff training were in place.
“There were enough staff available to meet people's needs.” from the report
Medicines
Medicines were administered, recorded and stored safely. Staff training and competency checks were completed, and audits were used to identify and address errors.
“Processes had been established and were followed to administer, record and store medicines safely.” from the report
Person-centred culture
Staff knew the people they supported and worked to provide personalised care. Relatives said they felt listened to and involved.
“The management and staff team promoted a person-centred culture to ensure people received personalised care and support.” from the report
Open leadership
The management team was open about areas needing improvement and encouraged feedback. Staff and relatives reported that they felt valued or listened to.
“We found an open and transparent culture, where constructive feedback was encouraged.” from the report
Records being updated
needs fixingSome risk information needed updating or was kept in different places while records were transferred to an electronic system. Inspectors were satisfied that risks were still being managed safely.
“We reviewed care records including risk assessments and found some information required updating or was held in different places.” from the report
Quality monitoring
needs fixingThe home had identified shortfalls in spot checks, staff supervision and care plan reviews. Further work was needed to make its quality monitoring systems fully established and sustainable.
“Further work was needed to implement, develop, archive, and sustain systems and processes to monitor the quality of care.” from the report
Staff continuity
minorSome relatives had concerns about staff continuity, although they said staffing had improved and there were more familiar staff. The management team said it had recruited new staff to reduce reliance on agency workers.
“Some relatives raised concerns about continuity of staff.” from the report
- 01Has the move from paper records to the electronic system been completed, and how do you check that risk information is current?
- 02How often are spot checks, staff supervisions and care plan reviews now completed?
- 03What has been done to improve staff continuity and reduce reliance on agency staff?
- 04How will you keep relatives informed if a person's care, risks or staffing arrangements change?
- 05Can you explain how medicines are checked when people are away from the home or visiting family?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the Effective, Caring and Responsive ratings were carried forward from 15 November 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 July 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, November 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with end-of-life plans still to be recorded.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 21 October 2017. Inspectors met all nine people living in the home, observed care, looked around the premises and checked care, medicine and quality records. They also spoke with relatives, staff and health and social care professionals.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines, trained staff, personalised support and good relationships between people and staff.
The home was still rated Good, the same as at the inspection in September 2015. Inspectors noted that end-of-life care plans had not yet been recorded for each person, and one relative felt there could sometimes be more stimulation.
Staffing and safety
People received one-to-one or two-to-one support according to their needs and activities. Inspectors found enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs.
“There were sufficient numbers of staff to keep people safe and make sure their needs were met.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff received relevant training, supervision and appraisals. They understood the complex needs of the people they supported.
“Staff were competent in their roles and had a very good understanding and knowledge of the people they supported” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People had strong relationships with staff, privacy in their rooms and care that respected their choices and independence.
“We observed staff being kind, patient and caring.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's preferences and ways to communicate. Staff supported a range of activities and responded when people's needs changed.
“All individuals have a person centred support plan.” from the report
Open management
Relatives and staff found the manager approachable. Regular audits helped the provider identify good practice and areas for improvement.
“There were effective quality assurance systems in place.” from the report
End-of-life planning
minorPeople did not yet have recorded end-of-life care plans. The provider said it planned to create these with people, families, friends and advocates.
“People did not have end of life plans in place” from the report
Stimulation and activities
minorOne relative felt that more stimulation was sometimes needed, although another said their relative was always busy. Ask how activities are matched to each person's interests.
“One relative felt that at times more stimulation was needed” from the report
- 01What progress has been made in recording an end-of-life care plan for my relative?
- 02How do you decide which activities and level of stimulation are right for each person?
- 03How are risk assessments and care plans updated when a person's health, seizures or behaviour changes?
- 04How will my relative and our family be involved in reviews and important decisions about care?
- 05What staffing arrangements will support my relative during activities, appointments and trips out?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, with the home remaining Good in every area and the same overall rating as in 2015. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 November 2017 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 Oaklands
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 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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