CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Springfields Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, suitable recruitment checks, up-to-date risk assessments and safe medicines management. Fire safety and infection control arrangements were also in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had induction, training and regular supervision. People had suitable food and drink, access to healthcare professionals, and support that followed the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described as kind and empathetic. They knew people's preferences, involved people and relatives in care decisions, protected privacy and promoted independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans recorded people's needs and preferences and were reviewed when needs changed. People were supported with activities, community access and end of life planning, and complaints were handled through a clear process.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager was visible and approachable, and staff said they felt supported. Regular audits covered areas including medicines, falls, infection control and care plans.
What inspectors found, July 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care, with effective management and no current breaches reported.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 25 April 2018. One inspector visited the home, spoke with the manager, staff and people living there, observed care, and reviewed care records, policies, audits and staff support records.
The home provided accommodation and personal care for up to 16 older people. Ten people were living there during the inspection. The home does not provide nursing care.
Inspectors rated all five areas Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. They found suitable staffing, safe medicines management, kind staff, personalised care, regular care reviews and effective checks on the quality of the service.
At the previous inspection, some staff training and supervision were not up to date. Inspectors found these issues had been addressed. The report says the service remained Good in Safe, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, with extra staff used when needed for activities outside the home. Recruitment checks were completed before staff started work.
“There were sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of people and keep them safe from potential harm or abuse.” from the report
Medicines managed safely
Medication records were complete and up to date. Staff involved in medicines had training and competency checks.
“We found all medication administration charts (MARS) were all up to date and there were no omissions or gaps.” from the report
Kind and personalised care
Staff knew people's preferences and involved people and relatives in care planning. People's independence, privacy and personal presentation were respected.
“Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner.” from the report
Care responded to changing needs
Care plans and risk assessments were reviewed and updated. The home supported activities, community access and detailed end of life planning.
“It was clear people's support was provided flexibly based on their changing needs.” from the report
Improved staff support
The home had acted on the previous inspection's concerns about training and supervision. Staff were receiving regular supervision and their training was up to date.
“At this inspection we found the service had taken the necessary steps to ensure that people had been appropriately assessed, staff were receiving regular supervision and had training was up to date.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01The report says the home does not provide nursing care. How would you meet my relative's nursing needs if they changed?
- 02How do you check current staffing levels, and when would extra staff be added for outings or changes in people's needs?
- 03How are medicines managed now, including support for people who may be able to take some medicines themselves?
- 04How are computerised care plans kept up to date when a person's needs, fluid intake or behaviour changes?
- 05How would you record and follow my relative's wishes about end of life care?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions, including observations, discussions and reviews of care, staff and service records. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 July 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.
Every inspection of Springfields Residential Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Springfields Residential Home →
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 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.
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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.