CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Purley House
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Inspectors found gaps in checks and records for legionella, hot and cold water temperatures, and thermostatic mixing valves. They also found that action had not been recorded when a kitchen tap reached 60 degrees Celsius.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had detailed care plans, relevant assessments and support from trained staff. They were helped with eating, health care, communication, decision-making and developing independence.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors observed a warm, caring and relaxed atmosphere. Staff used respectful language, protected privacy and dignity, and involved people in decisions about their care.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support was personalised and plans reflected people's needs, preferences and future goals. People were supported with communication, relationships, education, work, activities and complaints.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- Inspectors found that quality systems had not identified or dealt with all premises safety risks effectively. They also said improvements needed to be sustained and embedded, although staff described an open and caring culture.
What inspectors found, August 2022
Purley House was rated Requires Improvement because inspectors found safety and management weaknesses, despite kind and personalised care.
One inspector visited on 28 June 2022. They spoke with two people and three staff, checked care and medicine records, reviewed staff files and management records, and spoke with two visiting professionals.
The home was rated Good for Effective, Caring and Responsive. Inspectors found kind care, personalised support, good communication and enough suitably trained staff. People were supported to make choices, develop independence, follow their interests and keep in touch with family and friends.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors could not find enough evidence that water safety risks had been properly checked and managed. This included legionella checks, hot water checks and the lack of thermostatic mixing valves.
The overall rating fell from Good at the previous inspection, published on 28 November 2018. The home breached Regulation 15 about premises and equipment. The provider was asked for an action plan and CQC said it would monitor progress and return as part of its re-inspection programme.
Kind and respectful care
People received compassionate support. Staff respected privacy, dignity, equality and personal choices.
“People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people's privacy and dignity.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions, develop skills, follow their interests and work towards their goals.
“The service supported people to have control and independence over their own lives.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans were detailed and reflected people's communication needs, preferences, health needs and aspirations.
“People had care and support plans that were personalised, holistic, strengths-based and reflected their needs and aspirations, including physical and mental health needs.” from the report
Water safety checks
seriousThe home could not show routine tap de-scaling or a completed legionella assessment at the inspection. It also lacked thermostatic mixing valves and did not have evidence of checks at all water outlets.
“The registered person had not ensured premises risks to the health and safety of people were effectively maintained and managed.” from the report
Management oversight
needs fixingThe provider's quality system had not identified or resolved the premises safety problems before the inspection. Inspectors said improvements needed to be sustained and embedded.
“The provider had not operated an effective system to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service provided.” from the report
- 01Has the external legionella assessment been completed, and what actions did it require?
- 02Have thermostatic mixing valves now been fitted at the home?
- 03Are hot and cold water temperatures now checked at every required outlet, and what happens if a temperature is unsafe?
- 04How often are taps de-scaled, and where can we see the records?
- 05How does the provider check that safety improvements are completed and remain effective?
This inspection considered all five CQC questions and included infection prevention and control checks, care records, medicine records, staff files, premises and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 August 2022 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, November 2018
Purley House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and highly personalised support for young adults moving towards independence.
This was an unannounced first inspection on 4 October 2018. One inspector reviewed support plans, daily notes, medicines records, staff and training records, and health and safety information. They spoke with two young adults, three staff members and the manager, and received information from five professionals.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that young adults were protected from abuse, supported to take medicines safely and cared for by trained staff.
Inspectors especially praised the home's person-centred support. Care plans were regularly reviewed, activities matched individual goals and preferences, and staff helped young adults develop skills such as budgeting, cooking, education and job applications.
This was the first inspection since the home registered in October 2017. The report found strong management, good records and regular checks to monitor and improve the service.
Building independence
Staff helped young adults develop practical skills and prepare for their own accommodation. Support included budgeting, food preparation, job applications, education and work experience.
“The service used person focussed one to one work with each young adult and had succeeded in teaching skills such as budgeting, food preparation and job applications.” from the report
Safe care
The home had individual risk plans, fire safety checks, safeguarding training and safe medicines systems. Staff were trained to respond to risks while allowing as much independence as possible.
“The service had developed very detailed and instructive risk assessments and risk management plans for individuals.” from the report
Kind relationships
Inspectors found that staff treated young adults with kindness, respect and patience. Staff knew the young adults well and supported them to build trusting relationships.
“The young adults were supported by an enthusiastic, caring and committed staff team.” from the report
Listening to young adults
Young adults were involved in care planning, reviews, house meetings and decisions about improvements to the home. They could comment on their records and give feedback.
“People told us they felt involved in making plans for their lives and felt they were listened to.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would the current staffing arrangement meet my relative's needs during the day and at night?
- 02How would you adapt the support plan if my relative's health, behaviour or emotional needs changed?
- 03Which practical skills and independence goals would you work on with my relative?
- 04How would my relative be involved in reviews, house meetings and decisions about their care?
- 05What safeguarding, medicines and risk-management training would the staff supporting my relative have?
This was an unannounced first inspection covering the premises, care and all five CQC questions; the home had registered in October 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 November 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 Purley House
2 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- August 2022Requires improvementcurrent ratingdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 October 2017.
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
42 live-in carers within about an hour of West Berkshire
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 36 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“Titus has compassion, patience, a great sense of humour and a very professional attitude.”
“Barbara treated my mother-in-law with enormous love and compassion and provided an environment where she could feel safe and seen”
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.