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
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks, medicines, staffing, infection control and premises safety were managed effectively, although some recruitment records were initially incomplete.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care plans were based on assessments, kept under review and reflected people's wishes. Staff had suitable training and supervision, and people received support with food, weight and healthcare.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, respect and dignity. People were involved in their care and supported to make choices and become more independent.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care was highly individualised and adapted to people's communication, routines, anxiety and changing needs. People were supported to pursue activities, community involvement, work and greater independence.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had a registered manager, effective audits and up-to-date records. Staff and relatives described supportive management and a calm atmosphere.
What inspectors found, November 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found highly personalised, safe care, with Outstanding support for people's individual needs and activities.
This was an unannounced inspection on 30 October 2018. The inspector spoke with the manager and four care workers, received feedback from relatives and a community professional, and spoke with all six residents, although their complex needs meant detailed discussion was not possible. Records, care plans, medicines, staff files, training and safety checks were also reviewed.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were all rated Good. Responsive improved from Good to Outstanding.
Inspectors found people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Medicines were handled safely. Staff were trained, available and kind. Care was strongly personalised, helping people build independence, pursue goals, take part in activities and respond to anxiety or distress.
Personalised support
Staff understood people's routines, communication and signs of anxiety. They adapted their approach so people could feel safe and take part.
“People received extremely personalised care from staff who were highly motivated to support people to increase their independence and to identify and achieve their own goals and ambitions.” from the report
Building independence
People were supported to develop everyday skills, access the community and work towards their own ambitions.
“The staff took pride in helping people to gain independence in both small and large areas of their life, from learning how to make a cup of tea to going out independently.” from the report
Safe care
Inspectors found effective arrangements for managing risks, staffing, medicines, infection control and the home environment.
“People's medicines were stored and administered safely. Only staff trained in administering medicines, and assessed as competent, were allowed to do so.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff had warm and trusting relationships with residents and protected their privacy, dignity and confidentiality.
“People were treated with care and kindness. Staff showed great skill when working with people living at the service and it was obvious that warm and trusting relationships had been developed.” from the report
Responsive activities
Activities were based on people's interests and included community opportunities, employment and leisure activities.
“People were able to enjoy a number of activities, based on their known likes and preferences.” from the report
Recruitment records
minorSome required information was missing from staff files when inspectors checked them. The manager obtained it promptly and introduced a final check before new staff started.
“There were some missing items of information but the registered manager obtained the information promptly after the inspection.” from the report
- 01What goals would you agree with my relative, and how would you record and review their progress?
- 02How would staff recognise and respond if my relative became anxious or could not explain what was wrong?
- 03What activities, work or community opportunities could my relative take part in based on their interests?
- 04How do you check that all recruitment documents and suitability checks are complete before new staff work here?
- 05How would you support my relative to communicate their needs during hospital or healthcare appointments?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions; the overall rating stayed Good, while Responsive improved to Outstanding from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 November 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 Oaklands
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 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
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42 live-in carers within about an hour of West Berkshire
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 £1,260 a week. 36 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“Titus has compassion, patience, a great sense of humour and a very professional attitude.”
“Barbara treated my mother-in-law with enormous love and compassion and provided an environment where she could feel safe and seen”
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.