CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Orchard Cottage
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks, medicines, staffing and infection control were managed safely. Staff had safeguarding training and knew how to report concerns.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before they moved in, and care plans were detailed and regularly reviewed. Staff had training and worked with health and social care professionals.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind, compassionate and respectful. People were supported to make choices, communicate their wishes and remain as independent as possible.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care was exceptionally personalised. Inspectors found strong results for people's health, wellbeing, relationships, independence and access to activities and the community.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers were described as approachable and supportive. Audits, surveys and action plans were used to monitor quality and improve the service.
What inspectors found, July 2023
Rated Good overall; inspectors found especially personalised, responsive care, with all other areas rated Good.
This was the first inspection since the home was registered. It was unannounced and took place on 12 and 15 May 2023. One inspector spoke with a person using the service, relatives, an advocate, managers and care workers. Records for all three people and three staff files were checked.
Inspectors found people were safe, received effective care and were treated with kindness and respect. Staff knew people well, had training for their individual needs and supported communication in personalised ways. Medicines, infection control, staffing and risk management were found to be safe.
The strongest area was responsiveness, rated Outstanding. Care plans were highly personalised and people achieved important improvements in health, independence, eating, communication and community activities. The home was also rated Good for leadership, with managers seen as supportive and quality checks in place.
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's wishes, preferences and complex needs. Relatives were involved in reviews and planning.
“People had received excellent care responsive to their needs.” from the report
Meaningful activities
Staff helped people overcome anxiety and take part in activities they valued, including community visits and trips linked to their interests.
“The person now goes out once a week into the community and enjoying places like crazy golf and the beach, which they had never done before.” from the report
Kind staff
Inspectors observed kind interactions. Staff knew people well and supported their dignity, choices and independence.
“People were cared for in the right way by staff who were kind and compassionate.” from the report
Open leadership
Managers and staff described a supportive culture. People, relatives and staff were asked for their views, with action taken where improvements were needed.
“The culture of the service was friendly, open and transparent where people's and staff voices were listened to in order to continually improve the quality of care.” from the report
Noise complaints
minorThe home had received complaints from neighbours about noise. Inspectors said the home had acted appropriately, but families may want to understand how this is managed.
“The service had received external complaints from the neighbours regarding noise at the service.” from the report
Future end of life planning
minorNo one was receiving end of life care during the inspection. The manager said plans would be introduced if needed, so families should ask how this would be arranged.
“End of life care plans would be introduced.” from the report
- 01How would you support my relative's specific communication needs, including any use of Makaton, British Sign Language or communication boards?
- 02What positive behaviour support would be available if my relative became anxious or distressed?
- 03How would you manage noise and maintain good relationships with neighbours?
- 04How would you involve us in six-monthly care plan reviews and decisions about goals?
- 05How would you plan and provide end of life care if my relative needed it?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control; it was the first inspection of the newly registered home. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 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.
Every inspection of Orchard Cottage
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- July 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- February 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 February 2021.
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
39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.