CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Short Breaks - 8 Broadlands Walk
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe. Risk assessments, safeguarding systems, medicines checks and staff recruitment checks were in place, although inspectors said the window restrictors needed a full risk assessment.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff assessed people's health and social needs, followed people's preferences and received relevant training and supervision. Dietary needs and access to healthcare were also supported.
- Caring?
- Good
- People said staff were kind and that they felt well cared for. Care records included people's choices, routines, privacy needs and the support they needed to remain independent.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was planned around each person's communication, interests, social life and choices. Complaints were investigated promptly and changes were made after the one complaint received.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had clear leadership and quality checks. Staff felt supported, people were asked for their views and the home worked with health and social care professionals.
What inspectors found, June 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with a need to fully assess the safety of removable window restrictors.
The inspection took place over three days in May 2019. Inspectors reviewed care, medicines, staff records, training, recruitment and quality checks. They spoke with people who used the home, staff, relatives and other professionals.
The home provided respite care for up to four people with learning disabilities and/or mental health needs. One person was using it at the time. Inspectors found people were safe, treated kindly and involved in decisions about their care.
All five areas were rated Good: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. This means the inspectors found the service met the legal requirements and provided a consistently good standard of care.
Inspectors noted that removable bedroom window restrictors needed a full risk assessment. The home was also planning more training for staff in end of life care.
Personalised support
People were actively involved in planning their care and were supported to develop skills, make choices and become more independent.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Kind staff
People and relatives gave positive feedback about staff kindness, relationships and the quality of care.
“Staff are kind and caring, I know my [relative] is safe and looked after, it is an excellent service.” from the report
Activities and community links
People were supported to maintain friendships, follow their usual activities and enjoy additional outings during respite stays.
“We were told about going swimming, of staff hiring a car for trips out to places they wanted to visit, parties and other celebrations.” from the report
Learning from incidents
The home reviewed medicine errors and made changes, including reviewing policies, handovers and staff training needs.
“Action following an incident had involved a full review of medicines policies, audits of handovers and the identification of some staff training needs.” from the report
Window safety assessment
needs fixingBedroom window restrictors could be removed to provide an emergency escape route. Inspectors said the risks needed to be fully assessed because this arrangement might not suit everyone.
“We discussed the need to fully risk assess this as it may not be suited to all.” from the report
- 01What was the outcome of the full risk assessment of the removable bedroom window restrictors?
- 02How do you decide whether the window arrangement is safe and suitable for each person?
- 03Has the planned end of life care training for staff now been completed?
- 04How are medicine errors and near misses recorded, reviewed and used to improve practice?
- 05How will my relative be involved in creating and reviewing their care plan during respite stays?
This was a planned inspection covering all five key questions, including care, the premises, records, staffing, medicines and quality monitoring. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 June 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, November 2016
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and well-managed respite care, with some records and policies needing improvement.
The announced inspection took place on 21, 22 and 27 September 2016. Inspectors visited the provider's office and the home, spoke with a person using the service, family members, staff and managers, and reviewed care records, staff files and management records.
The home provides respite care and accommodation for up to four people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable training, person-centred care plans and activities based on people's interests. Family members spoke positively about the care.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found the service met the required standard in each area at the time of this inspection. They also found some overdue policies and incomplete records that needed attention.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks were generally completed before staff started work.
“This meant there were enough staff with the right experience and knowledge to meet the needs of the people who used the service.” from the report
Person-centred care
Care records recorded people's routines, preferences, communication methods and support needs. People were encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves.
“This meant that staff supported people to be independent and people were encouraged to care for themselves where possible.” from the report
Activities and social contact
The home continued people's day services and arranged activities such as shopping, meals, cinema visits and social clubs.
“This meant the registered provider protected people from social isolation.” from the report
Supportive leadership
Staff said managers were approachable and they could raise concerns. Families were consulted through feedback forums, questionnaires and newsletters.
“Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and they felt supported in their role.” from the report
Overdue policies
minorSome policies were out of date. The safeguarding procedure and medicines policy had not been reviewed recently, although the provider said this was being addressed.
“Some of the policies and procedures we looked at were overdue reviews.” from the report
Care records not always signed
needs fixingSome care files and review records had not been signed by people or family members to confirm agreement. The provider agreed to ask families to sign relevant documents when visiting.
“Some of the review records we saw had also not been signed to say family members agreed with the content.” from the report
End of life planning
needs fixingPeople did not have end of life care plans at the time of inspection. The provider said an end of life strategy was being developed.
“People who used the service did not have end of life care plans in place.” from the report
- 01Has the falls risk assessment been completed, and how are changes in a person's mobility recorded?
- 02Have the safeguarding and medicines policies now been reviewed and updated?
- 03How do you make sure families can read and sign care plans and reviews when discussions take place by telephone?
- 04What is the current position on end of life care plans and the provider's end of life strategy?
- 05Has the new quality assurance framework and programme of unannounced visits now been put into use?
This was an announced inspection covering all five CQC questions, with visits to the provider's office and the home, discussions with families and staff, and reviews of care, staff and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 November 2016 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 Breaks - 8 Broadlands Walk
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Short Breaks - 8 Broadlands Walk →
- November 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Short Breaks - 8 Broadlands Walk →
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 February 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 Manchester
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 £1,260 a week. 89 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“She is an exemplary carer, she is knowledgable empathetic and very respectful in the home.”
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.