CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at St Clair Gardens
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors looked at the enhanced support worker role, medicines and infection control. They found training, supervision, nurse support and daily medicines audits, but did not review the whole Safe question.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during the targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during the targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed during the targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a policy and protocol for the enhanced support worker role, with regular review, audits and staff input. They did not review the whole Well-led question.
What inspectors found, May 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found safeguards around enhanced support workers, but the visit did not reassess the full service.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 7 April 2022. It followed a concern about enhanced support workers being left in charge when a registered nurse was not on site. One inspector reviewed information, spoke with managers and staff, and checked policies and procedures.
Inspectors found the enhanced support workers had extra training, supervision and competency checks. They understood their limits and could contact a qualified nurse at any time. The role was used only as a last resort when agency nursing cover could not be found.
Inspectors also found no recorded medicines errors when enhanced support workers gave medicines. Qualified staff audited medicines daily. Infection prevention arrangements were also found to be suitable.
The service was not given a new rating. Safe and well-led were marked 'Inspected but not rated', and the other areas were not examined. The previous overall rating of Good remains in place.
Training and supervision
Enhanced support workers had extra training, supervision and competency checks. They understood their duties and when to contact qualified staff.
“Enhanced support workers received additional training, supervision and competency checks and fully understood their duties under the role and when they needed to contact qualified staff.” from the report
Nurse support
A qualified nurse was available on call whenever an enhanced support worker was left in charge.
“They always had a qualified nurse on call if they needed advice.” from the report
Medicines checks
There were no recorded medicines errors involving enhanced support workers, and qualified staff checked medicines every day.
“There were no medicines errors recorded for when medicines were given by enhanced support workers and medicines were audited daily by qualified staff.” from the report
Oversight of the role
Managers had a written process and regularly reviewed and audited the role, including staff feedback.
“The provider holds regular meetings where the role is regularly reviewed and audited.” from the report
Registered nurse availability
needs fixingThe home had ongoing difficulty recruiting registered nurses. Enhanced support workers could cover the home only as a last resort when agency nursing cover was unavailable.
“Due to ongoing issues with recruiting registered nurses the home had introduced the enhanced support worker role.” from the report
- 01How often is a registered nurse physically on site, and when would an enhanced support worker be left in charge?
- 02How do you decide that using an enhanced support worker is necessary and that other options, including agency staff, have been tried?
- 03What training, competency checks and supervision must an enhanced support worker complete before giving medicines or taking charge?
- 04How quickly can the on-call qualified nurse respond if an enhanced support worker needs advice?
- 05How are medicines given by enhanced support workers checked and audited?
This was a targeted inspection of the enhanced support worker staffing arrangement, related medicines checks, infection control and governance; it did not assess the whole service, and the previous ratings were carried forward. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 May 2022 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, August 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was the home’s first inspection. It was unannounced and took place on 3 June 2019. One inspector spoke with four people, six staff members and reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
Inspectors found that people were safe, treated with kindness and involved in decisions about their care. Staff understood people’s needs, supported independence and worked with health and social care professionals.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means the inspection found consistently good care and management at that time.
People felt safe
People said they felt safe, and inspectors found safeguarding procedures and risk assessments were being followed.
“This is the safest I have felt, I feel the staff are looking out for me and they want me to be safe.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff built positive relationships with people and protected their dignity, privacy and confidentiality.
“We observed people and staff were comfortable in each other's company and had developed positive, trusting relationships.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people’s histories, likes and dislikes. People were involved in planning and reviewing their care and recovery plans.
“Care plans were personalised, providing information about people's, background, their likes and dislikes and people important to them.” from the report
Support for independence and choice
Staff supported people to make decisions, take measured risks and do more for themselves. Staff respected people’s decisions when they declined support.
“Staff provided care and support with the emphasis on promoting and maintaining independence.” from the report
Activities and community links
People were supported to take part in activities and local workshops. Inspectors said the art therapy group was having a positive effect.
“One person said, "I didn't go to the group the first couple of times because I thought it wasn't for me; but now I love going; it helps with expressing how I feel.” from the report
Strong management systems
The home had regular checks on areas including medicines, staff supervision, health and safety and staffing. Audit findings were used to identify possible improvements.
“The provider had a comprehensive quality assurance framework in place that covered all aspects of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are people’s risk assessments and care plans reviewed when their mental or physical health changes?
- 02How do you support people to build independence while managing risks?
- 03What activities and community opportunities are currently available, including creative or therapeutic groups?
- 04How are medicines checked, and what happens if a medicine error occurs?
- 05How can a resident or relative raise a concern, and how would it be followed up?
This was the first inspection and covered all five key questions, including the care provided and the home’s premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 August 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 St Clair Gardens
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- May 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 May 2018.
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
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Coventry
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 £950 to £1,260 a week. 80 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
“My mum would not eat, drink, bath nor sleep without her. In short, she was FAMILY and we loved her dearly”
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.