CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Old Court Barn Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines processes, clean premises and risk plans that guided staff.
- Effective?
- Good
- People received care that achieved good outcomes. Staff had suitable training, people were supported with food, drink and health care, and legal safeguards were applied in the least restrictive way.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with dignity and respect and were involved in decisions about daily life. Staff knew people's preferences and supported independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans recorded people's needs, interests, communication preferences and relationships. People were supported to take part in activities and spend time in the local community.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home was managed consistently, with checks on care quality, medicines and care plans. Relatives and staff were asked for views, and suggestions were acted on.
What inspectors found, March 2019
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with further work planned on end-of-life support.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 17 January 2019. One inspector observed care, spoke with relatives, staff and a health and social care professional, and checked care plans, medicines records and management checks.
The inspectors found that people were safe, treated with kindness and supported to make choices. Staff understood people's needs, medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were sufficient, and people had access to food, activities and health care.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating as at the previous inspection in September 2016.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found that people had caring relationships with staff. Staff promoted dignity, privacy, independence and choice.
“People enjoyed living at Old Court Barn had developed caring relationships with staff who promoted people's rights to independence, dignity and privacy.” from the report
Safe medicines
People received their medicines at the right time. The provider had safe arrangements for receiving, storing, giving and disposing of medicines.
“People were receiving their medicines when they should. The provider was following safe protocols for the receipt, storage, administration and disposal of medicines.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's interests, histories, relationships and communication preferences. Staff adapted support when people's needs changed.
“Care plans recorded people's interests, histories and relationships which mattered to them.” from the report
Independence and community life
People were supported to make daily choices, learn skills and take part in activities outside the home. This included visits to local cinemas and community events.
“People were supported to maximise their opportunities to enjoy their lives.” from the report
The building was larger than best practice guidance
minorThe home was registered for seven people and all seven places were in use. Inspectors noted that this was larger than current best practice guidance, although they said the building's use reduced the negative impact.
“This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by how the building was used.” from the report
End-of-life planning was still developing
minorThe manager was developing a fuller strategy for end-of-life care. Ask what this strategy now includes and how people's wishes are recorded and followed.
“The registered manager was in the process of developing a strategy to futher meet people's needs at the end of their lives, so people's wishes would be respected.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the planned end-of-life care strategy since the inspection?
- 02How do you make sure each person's communication preferences are understood by new and temporary staff?
- 03How do you ensure the size and layout of the home continue to support people's privacy, independence and community life?
- 04How are medicines checked and reviewed, and how are any changes recorded?
- 05What activities and opportunities are currently available for people to build independence in the local community?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, including both the premises and the care provided; the previous overall rating was Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 March 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, September 2016
Old Court Barn Residential Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with effective management.
This was an unannounced inspection on 21 July 2016. One inspector spoke with six people living at the home and with care staff and a manager. They also observed people and checked care records, medicines records, audits, incidents and provider checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, trained staff and care that respected people's choices, privacy and dignity.
People's care plans reflected their needs and preferences. Staff supported people with activities, hobbies, health appointments and everyday independence. The management team checked the quality of care and acted when improvements were needed.
Enough staff
Inspectors found staff had time to meet people's care, social and leisure needs. A staffing review had also helped one person become more settled at night.
“People were supported by care staff who had time to respond to their individual needs and care for them.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were given as prescribed and records showed when people had received them. Staff were trained, medicines were locked away and storage temperatures were checked.
“People's medicines were managed safely and given to people as prescribed in the medicine records we looked at.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff received an induction, training and regular supervision. Training included the particular needs of people living at the home.
“Staff completed a full induction programme that included shadowing experienced staff until they felt confident they could carry out their role competently.” from the report
Personal and respectful care
Staff understood people's communication, preferences and emotional needs. People were encouraged to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“People confidently joked and laughed in a relaxed way with care staff and the deputy manager.” from the report
Activities and choice
People were supported to enjoy hobbies, outings, meals and visits that reflected their interests. They were involved in planning trips and personalising their rooms.
“People made choices about how they spent their time.” from the report
Quality checks
The management team used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor care and make changes where needed.
“The registered manager and provider had regularly reviewed the care and support provided and had completed audits.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How many care staff are usually on duty during the day and at night now?
- 02How are medicines checked and recorded, and are two staff still involved when medicines are given?
- 03How often are my relative's care plan and risk assessments reviewed and updated?
- 04How would you support my relative to make choices if they found it difficult to communicate?
- 05What activities, outings and health appointments could my relative take part in?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, covering all five key questions and reviewing care, medicines, staffing, records, incidents and quality checks. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 September 2016 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 Old Court Barn Residential Care Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Old Court Barn Residential Care Home →
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Old Court Barn Residential Care Home →
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 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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11 live-in carers within about an hour of Herefordshire, County of
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 £960 to £1,410 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.