CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Slade House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough experienced staff and systems for managing risks, medicines, accidents and incidents. Recruitment checks were thorough, and staff knew how to recognise and report abuse.
- Effective?
- Good
- People had detailed assessments and care plans based on their goals and needs. Staff received induction and relevant training, and people were supported with food, health appointments and decisions about their care.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with dignity, privacy and kindness. They understood people's communication methods and built trusting relationships.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans gave clear, step-by-step guidance about how each person wanted to be supported. People had access to individual activities, community opportunities and information in easy read formats.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found clear management arrangements, regular checks and a positive team culture. Audits and feedback were used to identify and act on improvements.
What inspectors found, February 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with strong management and no serious concerns.
This was an unannounced inspection on 30 November 2018. One inspector looked at care records, medicines, staff and training records, and records about how the home was run. They spoke with people living there, staff, relatives and other professionals.
The home supported eight people with learning disabilities, including people with autism and other complex needs. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines systems, detailed care plans and good access to health professionals.
People were treated with dignity and kindness. Staff understood different ways people communicated and supported them to make choices, stay in touch with family and take part in activities.
The overall rating was Good. Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good. The overall rating had not changed since the previous inspection, while Well-led had improved to Good.
Personalised communication
Staff understood verbal and non-verbal communication, including body language, signs and pictures. Communication needs were recorded in care plans.
“People used various methods of communication that included verbal, body language, signs and pictures of reference.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw positive relationships between staff and people. People's dignity, privacy and choices were respected.
“The relationships between staff and people receiving support demonstrated dignity and respect at all times.” from the report
Detailed care planning
Care plans explained people's needs, goals and preferences in clear detail. Staff used them to provide consistent support.
“The care plans seen were extremely detailed with clear assessments of initial and current needs.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to take part in activities at home and in the community, and to maintain important family relationships.
“People had access to activities that were important to them.” from the report
Strong management checks
The home had regular audits, team meetings and feedback systems. Records showed that action was taken when checks identified issues.
“The registered manager conducted regular audits that were systematic and meaningful.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you support my relative's particular communication method, especially if they use limited or non-verbal communication?
- 02What training and experience will the staff supporting my relative have in learning disabilities, autism and any specific health needs?
- 03How will you help my relative take part in activities they enjoy and keep in contact with family?
- 04How are medicines stored, administered and checked for the people living here?
- 05How will you involve my relative and our family in care plan reviews and decisions about their care?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions, and the report used a shorter format because the overall rating had not changed. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 February 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 Slade House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
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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Fees, photos and reviews from families
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42 live-in carers within about an hour of West Berkshire
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 £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 36 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“Titus has compassion, patience, a great sense of humour and a very professional attitude.”
“Barbara treated my mother-in-law with enormous love and compassion and provided an environment where she could feel safe and seen”
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.