CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Orchard End
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, staffing levels were sufficient, medicines were handled by trained staff and infection-control arrangements were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before moving in. Staff had relevant training, people were supported with food, drink and health appointments, and mental capacity and best-interest processes were being followed.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff knew people well and treated them with kindness. People were supported to communicate, make choices, maintain privacy and dignity, and develop independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were individual and regularly updated. People took part in activities suited to their interests, and there was an accessible complaints process.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The registered manager promoted an open culture and staff felt supported. The provider used audits, feedback and independent monitoring visits to check and improve the service.
What inspectors found, August 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with effective support and strong management.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 24 July 2018. One inspector spoke with a person living at the home, relatives, social care professionals, the registered manager and staff. Records, medicines, complaints, recruitment, training and quality checks were also reviewed.
The home supported six people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, risks were assessed, staffing levels were sufficient and medicines were handled safely. Staff supported people's health, eating and drinking, communication and rights to make decisions.
People were treated with kindness and supported to express their views. Their care was tailored to their needs and interests, including social activities and community trips. Inspectors also found approachable management, staff support and regular checks on the quality of care.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This meant the overall Good rating from the previous inspection on 30 December 2015 remained unchanged.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to respond to people's needs. Shortages were covered by overtime, relief staff or agency staff who knew people well.
“We saw there were enough staff on duty to respond to people's needs and requests in a timely manner.” from the report
Personalised communication
Staff used different communication methods, including signs, pictures and symbols, to help people express their wishes and take part in decisions.
“Staff received training in, and employed, a range of communication methods to promote effective communication with people.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People were supported to enjoy activities that matched their interests, such as swimming, horse-riding, bowling, day trips and work placements.
“People had support to participate in a range of social and recreational activities that reflected their known interests and preferences.” from the report
Open management
Relatives, staff and professionals described the home as open and approachable. The provider used meetings, surveys and quality checks to involve people and improve care.
“The provider carried out audits and checks to monitor and seek to improve the quality and safety of the care and support people received.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are each person's communication methods recorded and kept up to date?
- 02How do you check that care plans remain accurate and reflect changes in people's needs?
- 03How are staffing shortages covered, and how do you make sure relief or agency staff know each person's needs?
- 04How are medicines checked and reviewed, and how are any discrepancies followed up?
- 05How do you involve people and their relatives in reviews, activities and decisions about the home?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service and all five CQC areas, including observations, discussions and reviews of care, medicines, staffing and quality records. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 August 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 Orchard End
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 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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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.