CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Shear Meadow
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including visitors, PPE, testing, social distancing, hygiene and outbreak management.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Shear Meadow was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection prevention and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 4 March 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors found clear procedures for visitors, including health screening, temperature checks and personal protective equipment. The home had arranged window visits, garden visits and socially distanced meetings for families and friends.
The home had assessed health and safety risks, used staff cohorting, and carried out infection prevention and control audits. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide an overall quality rating.
Visitor infection checks
Visitors were screened, had their temperatures checked and were given guidance and PPE.
“The service was receiving professional visitors with clear infection control procedures in place.” from the report
Family visits
The home supported different types of visits while maintaining social distancing and reducing infection risks.
“The service had been facilitating 'window visits', 'garden visits' and socially distanced 'get-togethers' for family and friends.” from the report
Risk assessment
Inspectors found that risks to people and staff had been thoroughly assessed.
“Risks to people and staff in relation to their health, safety and wellbeing had been thoroughly assessed.” from the report
Infection control oversight
The provider had policies, management checks and regular infection prevention and control audits.
“Management oversight and checks, alongside regular infection prevention and control audits were in place.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control measures are in place now?
- 02What are the current arrangements for visits from family and friends?
- 03How does the home assess and manage infection risks for each person living there?
- 04How are staff allocated between people, and is staff cohorting still used?
- 05How does the home keep its infection prevention and control policy and visiting guidance up to date?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 March 2021 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, May 2019
Shear Meadow was rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support, with some care records needing improvement.
Inspectors visited without giving notice on 25 and 26 April 2019. One inspector spoke with two relatives, two staff members, two health professionals, the manager and the provider. People living at the home chose not to speak with inspectors. Inspectors also reviewed care records, medicines records, staff recruitment and training records, complaints, incidents and quality checks.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, clean surroundings and staff who understood how to protect people from harm. Staff supported people to make choices, build independence, follow their interests and access health services.
The home was well managed and worked with health and social care professionals. Inspectors found that some care records were difficult to use and did not always contain enough detail, but the manager knew people's needs well and was working to improve the records. This was the home's first inspection since it registered in 2017.
Safe staffing and safeguarding
Staff knew how to recognise possible abuse and manage risks. Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's care and social needs.
“People were supported by sufficient staff who knew them well.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicine records had no gaps, stock checks matched the records and staff were assessed as competent to administer medicines.
“There were no gaps in the records and stock counts tallied with records.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff developed good relationships with people and supported them with dignity, privacy and respect.
“Staff were observed to be kind and caring towards people and relatives confirmed this.” from the report
Personalised support
People were supported to make choices, develop independence, follow their interests and take part in community activities.
“People could be independent and were supported to develop life skills.” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked with a wide range of health and social care professionals to respond to changes in people's needs.
“People's care was reviewed by a vast range of health professionals.” from the report
Care records needed improvement
needs fixingSome records needed updating and did not contain enough detail. The manager was working with the provider to simplify and improve the paperwork.
“We found that some care records required updating and reviewing.” from the report
Recruitment pressure
minorTwo full-time staff were being recruited, which had placed extra pressure on the existing team. Inspectors were reassured that people were still receiving the required support.
“The referencing process was taking longer than usual, which had placed additional pressure on staff.” from the report
- 01Have the care records been updated and simplified since this inspection, and how do you check that they contain enough detail?
- 02Have the two full-time staff posts been filled, and how do you cover sickness or busy periods now?
- 03How will my relative be involved in decisions about their daily routine, care and activities?
- 04How do you support people with communication difficulties to express choices, feelings and concerns?
- 05How do you work with health professionals when a person's needs or health changes?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions; it was the home's first inspection since registration in 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 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 Shear Meadow
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 July 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.
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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Hertfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.