CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Oaklawn
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, April 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with activity records still being updated.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 14 March 2019. One inspector visited because the home is small. They spoke with three people, the registered manager, the deputy manager and two staff. They reviewed care records, staff files, audits and other records.
The home provides care without nursing for up to four older people with learning disabilities. All four places were occupied. Inspectors found people were safe, well supported and treated with kindness and dignity. Staff knew people well, and there were enough staff to meet their needs.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It was also Good at the previous inspection, so the rating remained unchanged. Inspectors noted that activity planners did not yet always match the activities people took part in, and the registered manager said these were being updated.
Kind and respectful care
People appeared relaxed with staff and were treated with dignity. Staff knew people's preferences and supported their choices.
“People were treated in a caring and dignified way. They were involved in decisions about their care.” from the report
Good safety arrangements
The home assessed risks such as falls, choking, pressure damage and equipment use. Medicines, infection control and emergency arrangements were also checked.
“Risks to people's health and safety were identified and action taken to reduce the chance of people coming to harm.” from the report
Enough suitable staff
Inspectors found staffing levels were enough for people's needs. Recruitment checks included references, identity checks and DBS checks.
“There were enough staff to meet the needs of the people who lived here.” from the report
Good support with food and health
People had choices about food, and staff supported dietary needs and hydration. Health appointments and specialist support were arranged when needed.
“People were supported to have enough to eat and drink.” from the report
Active quality checks
The home used audits, meetings and feedback to review care and identify improvements. Inspectors found the provider's information matched what they saw.
“Quality assurance processes were in place. This included regular audits of medicines, health and safety and the environment.” from the report
Activity records were not up to date
minorThe activity planners did not fully show the activities people were taking part in. The registered manager said the planners were being updated.
“We noted that the activities planners that people had did not currently reflect the activities that they did.” from the report
- 01How have the activity planners been updated, and how do you make sure they reflect what each person actually enjoys?
- 02How do you review staffing levels when a person's health or support needs change?
- 03How would my relative communicate a complaint, and can they use the accessible complaint format described in the report?
- 04Which equipment or restrictions require a mental capacity assessment or a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards application?
- 05How will you involve our family in reviews of care, activities and end-of-life preferences?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 April 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.
What inspectors found, May 2017
Rated Good; the focused inspection found effective care and that a previous Mental Capacity Act breach had been addressed.
This was an announced, focused inspection on 19 April 2017. The inspector checked whether the home was effective, following a previous inspection in August 2016.
Inspectors found that the home was now following the Mental Capacity Act. People were involved in decisions where possible, and best-interest meetings had taken place when people could not make particular decisions.
Staff were trained and supported. People had enough food and drink, received support with specialist diets, and had access to healthcare professionals when needed.
The overall rating was Good. The report only gives a new rating for Effective. The other areas were not assessed during this focused inspection.
Mental Capacity Act practice
The home had improved its approach to decisions for people who lacked capacity. Best-interest meetings had taken place and restrictions had been referred for authorisation.
“During this inspection we found that at Oaklawn the requirements of the MCA were now being met.” from the report
Food and specialist diets
People had enough food and drink. Staff understood individual dietary needs and prepared food in the format set out in care plans.
“People had enough to eat and drink and had specialist diets where a need had been identified.” from the report
Access to healthcare
People had health action plans and were referred to specialists when their health needs changed.
“People received support to keep them healthy. A relative said, "Yes, my family member gets to see the dentist and people like that when she needs.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What is the current outcome of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications mentioned in the report?
- 02How do you review whether a person can make particular decisions as their health changes?
- 03How would you meet my relative's dietary, swallowing and food-presentation needs?
- 04How often would staff receive training and supervision for my relative's particular needs?
- 05How are health action plans kept up to date when a person's mobility, swallowing or other health needs change?
This was a focused inspection of Effective following a previous breach; the other areas were not assessed during this visit. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 May 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 Oaklawn
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodEffective: Good
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 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.
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77 live-in carers within about an hour of Surrey
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 £980 to £1,250 a week. 66 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Without his support we wouldn't have been able to navigate bringing and keeping Dad at home.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
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.