CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Short Break Service
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected by safeguarding, risk management, emergency plans, infection control and safe recruitment systems. Medicines records were accurate, but cabinet temperatures were not monitored and recorded during the visit.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in this focused inspection. The previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in this focused inspection. The previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was planned around people's needs, choices and communication systems. People were supported to take part in activities, maintain relationships and raise complaints or concerns.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers promoted an open culture, listened to people and staff, used feedback and audits, and worked with health and social care professionals.
What inspectors found, June 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found personalised, safe care, but medicines storage temperatures were not being recorded during the visit.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 19 April 2023. One inspector met people, relatives, managers and care staff. They reviewed care records, medicines, staff files and the home's management records.
The home was rated Good overall, with Good ratings for Safe, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were supported with choice, independence, communication, activities and community access. Staff knew people well and there were enough staff to meet people's needs.
The inspection found one medicines shortfall. Temperatures in medicines cabinets were not monitored and recorded, creating a risk that medicines might not work as intended. The provider sent evidence after the inspection showing that action had been taken.
This report did not inspect Effective or Caring. Their previous Good ratings from the inspection published on 21 November 2017 were used to calculate the overall rating.
Personalised communication
Care plans contained detailed information about how each person communicated. Staff understood and used these individual communication methods.
“Staff had good awareness, skills and understanding of individual communication needs, they knew how to facilitate communication and when people were trying to tell them something.” from the report
Choice and community life
People were supported to choose activities and interests, including local activities and day services.
“People were supported to access their chosen activities and interests.” from the report
Staffing and training
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff had induction, training and medicines competency checks.
“The provider had enough staff available to support people's needs.” from the report
Open management
People, relatives and staff had opportunities to give feedback. Managers used meetings, surveys, coffee mornings and audits to help improve the service.
“The provider involved people and staff in the service through feedback and surveys which had been sent out to get people's views.” from the report
Medicines storage temperatures
seriousDuring the inspection, cabinet temperatures for medicines were not monitored and recorded. This created a risk that medicines might not remain effective, although the provider later sent evidence of action taken.
“However, during the inspection we identified the temperature in medicines cabinets was not monitored and recorded to ensure medicines were always stored at the temperature recommended by the manufacturers.” from the report
- 01What changes were made after the inspection to monitor and record medicines cabinet temperatures?
- 02How do you check that these temperature records are completed and reviewed every day?
- 03How many permanent staff vacancies are there, and how often are regular agency staff used?
- 04How will you use each person's communication plan during their short break?
- 05How can families give feedback or raise a complaint during and after a person's stay?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Responsive and Well-led only; Effective and Caring were not inspected and their previous ratings were carried forward from the inspection published on 21 November 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 June 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, December 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised respite care, although some authorisations for restrictive equipment had expired.
This was an unannounced inspection on 20 and 21 November 2017. The inspectors looked at care records, medicines, staffing, recruitment, complaints, safeguarding records and the building. They also observed meals and how staff supported people, and spoke with people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good. Inspectors found enough suitable staff, safe medicines management, clean surroundings, suitable equipment and staff who knew people's needs well.
People and relatives said they felt safe and were happy with the care. Support plans were detailed and activities reflected people's interests. Inspectors noted that some DoLS authorisations had expired, but the manager contacted the local authority after the inspection to discuss what was needed.
Enough suitable staff
Staffing levels were adjusted to the needs of the people staying at the home. Recruitment checks were completed for permanent and temporary staff.
“There were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff checked medicines carefully when people arrived and when they left. Records, stock checks and storage arrangements supported safe administration.
“Medicines were safely managed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff understood people's communication and routines. They offered choices, supported independence and protected privacy and dignity.
“People were offered choices and staff maintained people's privacy and dignity.” from the report
Detailed support plans
Care records described people's needs, preferences, routines and interests in a clear, person-centred way. Staff used them to provide continuity during intermittent stays.
“The support plans were comprehensive and provided a very thorough picture of the person, their needs and how these were to be met.” from the report
Good leadership and communication
The manager knew the people using the home and worked with relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. Regular monitoring and meetings were used to identify improvements.
“The registered manager was experienced and approachable and was knowledgeable about the people who used the service.” from the report
Expired DoLS authorisations
needs fixingSome authorisations relating to measures such as lapstraps and bedrails had expired. The manager said they would contact the local authority team, and confirmed this had happened shortly after the inspection.
“The registered manager had applied for DoLS for some people who used the service due to use of lapstraps and bedrails and also there were some DoLS authorisations that had expired.” from the report
- 01What is the current position on DoLS authorisations for people who may need lapstraps or bedrails?
- 02How will you make sure my relative's medicines are checked and recorded when they arrive and leave for each respite stay?
- 03How will staffing levels and staff skills be matched to my relative's needs, including for emergency respite?
- 04How often will my relative's support plan be reviewed, and how will our family be involved?
- 05What communication methods, dietary arrangements and specialist equipment can you provide for my relative?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service covering all five CQC questions, with records and care sampled for a small number of people and staff. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 December 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 Short Break Service
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvement
- November 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 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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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Ealing
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. 77 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“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.”
“She has an unusual combination of kindness and firmness, is quite unflappable, physically strong, extremely savvy”
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.