CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Queen Alexandra College
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found suitable risk assessments, emergency plans, staffing and medicines systems. People said they felt safe, and staff knew how to recognise and report abuse.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff received training and support relevant to people's needs. People enjoyed the food, were involved in preparing meals and were supported to access healthcare and other services.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. They were involved in decisions about their care and supported to develop independent living skills and relationships.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's routines, interests, communication needs and support strategies. People could choose activities and knew how to complain.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had audits and action plans to monitor quality and make improvements. People, relatives and staff generally said it was well run, although some feedback asked for more input from managers.
What inspectors found, May 2019
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with some environment and Wi-Fi improvements still needed.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 30 April 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, staff and relatives. They reviewed care plans, staff records, medicines information, complaints, incidents and quality checks.
People told inspectors they felt safe and happy. The home supported people with visual impairment, autism and learning disabilities to make choices, build independence and take part in activities. Care plans were personal and included communication needs, routines and support strategies.
The home was clean. Medicines, staffing, safeguarding and emergency plans were managed safely. Staff were trained and people were treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
The overall rating was Good, as were the ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating as the previous inspection in June 2016. Some building areas and Wi-Fi needed improvement, and the home had plans to address these issues.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe, and relatives said they felt reassured about the care provided.
“Yes I feel 100% safe, it feels like my second home.” from the report
Supporting independence
The home helped people develop everyday skills and make their own choices, while managing risks.
“I am more confident definitely, at home I wasn't doing anything, here you're learning how to do things for yourself” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw a positive atmosphere. Staff knew people well and supported their privacy, dignity, beliefs and preferences.
“People were supported by staff who were kind and caring.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's interests, routines, communication methods and support needs. People could choose from a range of activities.
“Care plans were person centre and contained information about people's interests, routines and support strategies.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home used audits, meetings and surveys to identify improvements and check whether actions had been completed.
“Systems were in place to meaningfully monitor and review the quality of the service.” from the report
Building condition
needs fixingSome parts of the home were not always homely. The provider had identified refurbishment and redecoration needs and had an estate plan for improvements.
“The service was not always homely in places although people's rooms were personalised.” from the report
Poor Wi-Fi
needs fixingOngoing Wi-Fi problems affected people's ability to contact family and use technology that could support their independence. The provider was working to resolve this.
“This impacted people being able to contact family and friends and utilise technology that could support people's independence.” from the report
Family communication with managers
minorRelatives generally described communication positively, but some said they would appreciate more input from managers.
“However, we also received some feedback that further input by managers would be appreciated.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made with the planned refurbishment and redecoration since the inspection?
- 02Has the Wi-Fi been improved, and how do you now support residents to contact family and use technology?
- 03How can families speak directly with managers about concerns or care planning?
- 04How will you continue to support my relative to build independence while managing their individual risks?
- 05How are residents involved in choosing activities and reviewing their care?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions; end-of-life care was not considered because this was not people's permanent residence. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 May 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.
Every inspection of Queen Alexandra College
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
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 19 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Birmingham
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 £950 to £1,230 a week. 79 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
“God doesn't make people like her anymore!”
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
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.