CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Princes Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks, staffing, recruitment, medicines, infection control and incidents were managed well.
- Effective?
- Good
- People’s needs were assessed and included in their care plans. Staff had training and supervision, and the home worked with health professionals to support people’s health and independence.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not rated in this focused inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not rated in this focused inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had quality checks, involved people and staff in decisions, and worked with outside organisations. People and staff said they could raise concerns.
What inspectors found, July 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, effective and well-led support focused on helping people become more independent.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 4 July 2023. One inspector spoke with two people using the home, two senior support workers and a visiting health professional. The inspector also reviewed care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, training information and management records.
People were protected from harm, risks were assessed and medicines were managed safely. Inspectors found enough staff, good recruitment checks, a clean home and suitable infection control. People’s needs were assessed, staff had relevant training and people were supported to manage their own shopping, food and daily choices.
The home worked with health and social care professionals and supported people to work towards greater independence. Inspectors found systems for checking quality and making improvements. The overall rating was Good, and the ratings for Safe, Effective and Well-led were Good.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people’s needs. Medicines records were completed correctly and staff had been trained and assessed as competent.
“The service ensured staff were recruited safely and sufficient staff were deployed to meet people's needs.” from the report
Support for independence
People were encouraged to manage their own shopping, menu planning and cooking. The home also helped people with education, employment and plans for more independent living.
“The service had a culture of promoting person-centred care with the goal of people developing the skills to move into more independent accommodation.” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked with psychiatrists, social workers and other mental health professionals. Information from this work was recorded in people’s care records.
“The service worked closely with external health care professionals such as psychiatrists, social workers, and various mental healthcare professionals” from the report
People’s involvement
People helped decide how they received support and had regular meetings to discuss matters such as food, staffing and cleaning.
“Resident's meetings took place each month where people discussed issues related to the care home and their support.” from the report
Well-maintained home
Inspectors found the home clean, well maintained and nicely decorated. The property had been updated and redecorated since the previous inspection.
“Princes Lodge is a well maintained and nicely decorated family home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you support my relative to develop skills for more independent accommodation?
- 02What mental health training has the staff team completed, and how is their competence checked?
- 03How will my relative be involved in planning meals, shopping and other daily choices?
- 04How often will my relative’s risk assessments and care plan be reviewed?
- 05How will you keep our family informed and involve us if my relative’s needs change?
This was a focused inspection, and the report says it covered the Good, Effective and Well-led key questions; areas not inspected use ratings from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 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.
What inspectors found, January 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care that supported people towards greater independence.
This was an unannounced inspection on 14 December 2017. One inspector spoke with four people, a care worker, the registered manager and a visiting healthcare professional. Written feedback from two relatives was also reviewed.
The home supports five people with mental health needs. Inspectors found effective safeguarding, risk management, recruitment and medicines systems. The home was clean, staff were trained, and people were supported to make choices and build independent living skills.
People described staff as kind and respectful. Care plans were personalised and regularly reviewed with people's involvement. Inspectors also found strong links with mental health and other healthcare professionals.
The home was rated Good in all five areas and overall. This was the same overall rating as at the previous inspection in December 2015.
Safe care
Inspectors found robust safeguarding arrangements, detailed risk assessments and suitable recruitment checks. Accidents and incidents were reviewed so lessons could be learned.
“The provider had robust systems, processes and practices to protect and safeguard people who used the service from abuse.” from the report
Support for independence
The home helped people develop everyday skills and work towards living more independently. Two people had moved into independent accommodation since the previous inspection.
“The home is used as a step down facility with the aim of people moving to their own flat.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
People said staff listened to them and respected their choices. Inspectors saw positive, compassionate communication and a friendly atmosphere.
“During our inspection visit we saw staff communicating with people in a positive and compassionate manner.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's needs, wishes and routines. People, relatives and professionals were involved in reviewing them.
“Care plans were of good standard, meaningful and related to the persons assessed needs.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess whether this home is suitable for my relative before they move in?
- 02How would you support my relative to take medicines safely and become more independent with them?
- 03What support would my relative receive to work towards living in their own accommodation?
- 04How would you work with my relative's mental health team, GP and other professionals?
- 05What care and support is available if my relative needs end of life care, given that the home does not provide it?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and the overall rating; the previous inspection in December 2015 had also rated the service Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 January 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 Princes Lodge
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 January 2013.
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
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Brent
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. 74 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“The quality of life that she's given my parents has been priceless. The peace of mind she's given my sisters and I, through a very difficult time, has been invaluable.”
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult 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.