CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Shepherds Corner
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, suitable recruitment checks, safeguarding training and regular safety checks. Medicines were recorded, stored and administered safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant induction, refresher and specialist training. People were supported with food, drink, healthcare appointments and their medical conditions.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were observed to be warm, respectful and patient. People were involved in decisions, supported to communicate and encouraged to remain as independent as possible.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans included people's preferences, routines, interests and communication needs. People had individual activity timetables and relatives were kept informed.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management structure and quality checks were clear. The provider used feedback, investigated incidents and complaints, and made improvements when needed.
What inspectors found, October 2019
Shepherds Corner was rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support, with the home larger than current best practice guidance.
This was an unannounced inspection on 07 October 2019. One inspector observed how staff supported people, reviewed three care records and three staff records, checked medicines and other records, and spoke with staff and the registered manager. Relatives were contacted after the inspection.
The inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines practices, clean premises and good safeguarding arrangements. Staff knew people well, respected their choices and supported their communication, health, independence, activities and relationships.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection, published on 07 April 2017, was also rated Good. The report says the service used some restrictive interventions only as a last resort and in a person-centred way.
Safe staffing and safeguarding
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff knew how to recognise and report possible abuse and understood people's risks.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff on each shift were trained to deal with emergency situations and events if these should arise.” from the report
Kind and respectful support
Staff treated people with warmth and respect. They gave people time, asked permission and supported privacy and dignity.
“Staff were kind and respectful when talking to people. They asked people for their permission before providing any support.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in decisions about their care and were encouraged to do everyday tasks for themselves where safe.
“People were supported to be as independent as they could be. Staff encouraged people to get washed and dressed each day, clean and tidy their room” from the report
Personalised activities
Activities reflected people's individual interests and choices. Support included community outings, shopping, meals out and physical activities.
“Each person had a timetable of activities that reflected their specific choices and preferences for how they wished to spend their time every day.” from the report
Home is larger than current guidance
minorThe home was registered for up to 13 people and ten people were living there. Inspectors said it was larger than current best practice guidance, although the building and setting reduced the negative impact.
“This is larger than current best practice guidance.” from the report
Some restrictive interventions
needs fixingThe report says some restrictive interventions were used. It states these were a last resort and person-centred, but families should ask what this means for their relative.
“The service used some restrictive intervention practices as a last resort, in a person-centred way, in line with positive behaviour support principles.” from the report
- 01What restrictive interventions might be used for my relative, and how are these reviewed and recorded?
- 02How will you use my relative's preferred communication method when making decisions about their care?
- 03How will my relative's activity timetable reflect their interests, routines and choices?
- 04How will you support my relative to build independence while keeping them safe?
- 05How will you keep me informed about my relative's health, appointments and changes in support?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises, care provided, medicines and management arrangements. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 October 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.
What inspectors found, April 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 27 February 2017. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, staff, relatives and the registered manager. They also observed care and checked care records, staff records and management records.
The home supports up to 12 people with learning disabilities, including some people with additional mental health needs. Inspectors found that people felt safe, staff knew them well, medicines were managed safely and risks were assessed.
People were supported to make choices, stay healthy, take part in activities and keep in touch with family and friends. Care plans were personal and regularly updated. Relatives and people living in the home spoke positively about the care.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same rating as at the previous inspection in February 2015.
People felt safe
People said they felt safe and staff understood how each person communicated distress or needed support.
“People using the service told us they felt safe and liked living at Shepherds Corner.” from the report
Safe medicines management
Medicines were stored securely, administration records were accurate and checks and staff training were in place.
“People using the service had medicines administration records (MAR) that were accurate and up to date.” from the report
Kind and familiar support
A consistent staff group knew people's needs, routines and preferences and supported them in a friendly way.
“Observed interactions between staff and people using the service were familiar and friendly and staff clearly knew how to work positively with people to help ensure their wellbeing.” from the report
Personalised activities
People were supported to take part in activities suited to them, use the wider community and help with everyday tasks.
“We saw that the service supported people to participate in a range of individualised activities, including day centres, trips out, art and music.” from the report
Strong management
The manager was approachable and records, meetings and audits were used to monitor care and the quality of the service.
“The service provider carried out regular audits of the service, which included health and safety audits as well as audits against the care provided by the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure my relative's individual support plan reflects their communication methods, routines and preferences?
- 02What activities and community outings could my relative take part in, including cooking, shopping, art or music?
- 03How would you support my relative to make choices and remain as independent as possible?
- 04How are medicines stored, given, recorded and checked?
- 05How will you keep me informed about changes to my relative's health, care or daily routines?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five questions, with observations of care and checks of care, staff and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 April 2017 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 Shepherds Corner
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 9 September 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.
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 Croydon
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 £1,230 a week. 77 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She cared for my mum with Alzheimer's with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude”
“Terry has been of invaluable help to our family while working as a part-time live-in carer for our mother for approximately 6 months”
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.