CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Springbank
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment and good systems for managing risks, medicines, accidents and infection control. People were protected from abuse and supported to make choices safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not inspected during this visit. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found strong leadership, regular quality checks and an open, inclusive culture. The management team had worked at the home for many years and understood people's needs well.
What inspectors found, July 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, compassionate and well-managed care, but this inspection only checked Safe and Well-led.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 10 February 2023. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, a relative, staff and visiting professionals. They also observed care and checked care records, medicines, staffing, recruitment, safety checks and quality audits.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, good medicines systems and appropriate action to manage risks. People were supported to make choices, take part in activities and use the local community.
The overall rating stayed Good, the same as at the previous inspection published in January 2018. This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led. The other three question ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection.
Safe staffing and recruitment
There were enough staff to support people safely. Recruitment checks included applications, interviews, right-to-work checks, references and DBS checks.
“There were enough staff to support people safely. There were some long-standing staff who worked at the home.” from the report
Good medicines practice
Medicines were recorded electronically, checked regularly and stored securely. Staff were trained and assessed as competent.
“The team leaders audited people's medicines regularly to check people had received these safely.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make their own decisions where possible, take positive risks and take part in activities and community life.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests” from the report
Consistent leadership
The registered manager and deputy had both worked at the home for more than 22 years. Inspectors found regular audits and strong oversight of care and safety.
“The registered manager and the deputy were excellent role models for the staff. They had both worked at the home since it opened over 22 years ago.” from the report
Support tailored to people
Staff adapted care and people's rooms to meet individual needs. Inspectors saw examples of support that improved people's alertness, health, engagement and wellbeing.
“The needs of the person were able to now be met safely and effectively.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and review staffing levels if my relative's needs changed?
- 02How are medicines reviewed, particularly if my relative takes medicines that affect behaviour or alertness?
- 03If my relative cannot make a particular decision, how will you involve advocates and record a best-interests decision?
- 04How will you support my relative to take part in activities, use local services and pursue their own interests?
- 05How will you involve my relative in meetings and make sure their views and goals are acted on?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection in 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 July 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, January 2018
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding responsive care; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised support.
This was an unannounced inspection on 7 and 22 November 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, staff, managers, health professionals, a visitor and relatives. They reviewed care records, medicines, staffing, training, recruitment and quality checks.
The home supported 11 adults with learning disabilities. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable risk assessments and clean premises. Staff were trained and worked with health professionals to meet people's needs.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. They were involved in decisions, activities, staff recruitment and the running of the home. The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led, and Outstanding for Responsive.
Personalised support
Staff knew people well and adapted care to their individual communication, preferences, goals and changing needs.
“The service was flexible and very responsive to people's individual needs and preferences, finding creative ways to enable people to live as full a life as possible.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to take part in activities, trips and community life based on what mattered to them. Staff also helped people work towards personal goals.
“People were empowered to lead the life they wanted with staff supporting them in their chosen goals.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm relationships and found that staff protected people's privacy, dignity and right to make choices.
“We observed staff knocking on doors and waiting for people to confirm they could enter.” from the report
Good health support
The home worked proactively with health professionals and acted on advice. Staff recognised when people were unwell and made timely referrals.
“People had access to health and social care professionals.” from the report
People's involvement
People had a say in activities, care decisions, staff recruitment and how the home was run. Information was adapted to help people understand and express their views.
“People were very much involved and included in the running of the service with resident forums being organised.” from the report
Expired safeguards authorisations
needs fixingFour people's Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations had expired when inspectors checked. The manager had promptly submitted further applications, but seven other applications were still with local placing authorities.
“Four people had an authorisation in place. These had expired however, it was evident the registered manager had promptly re-submitted further applications for these people.” from the report
- 01What is the current position on the four expired Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations?
- 02What progress has been made with the seven applications that were still with local placing authorities?
- 03What staffing levels are provided during the day, evening and night, and how are these adjusted if people's needs change?
- 04How are each person's activity goals and personal plans reviewed and kept up to date?
- 05Have medicines been moved into people's bedrooms so that giving medicines can be more individualised, as planned in the report?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, and the report says both the premises and the care provided were looked at. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 January 2018 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of Springbank
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- January 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 December 2010.
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
40 live-in carers within about an hour of Bristol, City of
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 £1,300 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She became a good friend to my mother in law, chatting with her, dancing with her, knitting with her and the list goes on”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.