CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Stallcombe House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, May 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found people were safe and supported, but leadership, communication and staff retention need improvement.
This was a focused inspection after concerns about staff turnover and management. One inspector visited on 9 March 2022 without notice and on 11 March 2022 with notice. The inspection looked only at Safe and Well-led.
The home was rated Good for Safe. Inspectors found that staff understood people's needs, risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely and infection control measures were in place. People’s care needs were being met despite many regular staff leaving.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for Well-led. Twenty-three staff had left in the previous six months. Many staff said they felt unsupported, undervalued and poorly informed. A new management structure had started, but these problems still needed to be addressed.
The overall rating stayed Good. The other three question ratings were carried forward from the previous comprehensive inspection in 2019 because they were not examined during this focused inspection.
People were kept safe
Staff knew people well and understood how to protect them from abuse. Risk assessments and least restrictive support plans were in place.
“People were kept safe from avoidable harm because staff knew them well and understood how to protect them from abuse.” from the report
Safe medicines practice
Medicines were stored securely, records were signed correctly and checks were carried out. Staff had medicine training and competency assessments.
“Medicines were safely administered. Medicines administration records were appropriately signed by staff when administering a person's medicines.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were encouraged to make choices about activities, holidays and meals. Staff used different communication methods to support people's independence.
“Our inspection found that people were constantly encouraged to lead rich and meaningful lives.” from the report
Positive care from staff
Inspectors observed relaxed and friendly interactions. People and relatives gave positive comments about the care and support provided.
“Interactions between people and staff were relaxed and friendly and people seemed happy.” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked with health and social care professionals. Records showed regular reviews of people's changing needs.
“Care files showed evidence of professionals working together.” from the report
High staff turnover
needs fixingTwenty-three staff had left in the previous six months. Staff and relatives were worried about losing experienced workers who knew people well, although inspectors found no evidence that people had been harmed.
“Staff leaving statistics showed that 23 staff had left within the last 6 months.” from the report
Staff support and communication
needs fixingMany staff did not feel listened to and said communication between the home and provider was poor. Staff survey concerns about fairness, being valued and communication remained unresolved.
“10 out of the 15 staff we spoke with, did not feel listened to and felt communication was poor between the home and the provider.” from the report
Leadership culture
needs fixingInspectors found that the leadership and culture were not consistently open and inclusive. A new management structure had started, but its impact was not yet established.
“This did not demonstrate a positive culture which was open and inclusive, despite the service' whistleblowing policy encouraging this.” from the report
- 01How many experienced regular staff have left since the inspection, and how are familiar staff being provided for each person?
- 02What progress has been made with the new management structure and clearer lines of accountability?
- 03How are staff now able to raise concerns with the provider and receive a response?
- 04What action has been taken to improve staff morale, fairness, communication and retention?
- 05How will you use the total communication approach to support my relative's choices and independence?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other three ratings were carried forward from the previous comprehensive inspection published in 2019. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 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, May 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 22 April 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control, including visiting arrangements, after concerns had been raised.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning, hygiene and infection outbreaks safely. Staff had suitable training, and infection control policies and risk assessments were up to date.
The home adapted visits for people with limited understanding of social distancing. It also helped residents keep in touch with family and friends through visits and video calls.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall rating or a full rating for the five areas of care.
Infection control
The home had handwashing and sanitising facilities, visitor screening, clear signs, suitable risk assessments and an up-to-date infection control policy.
“We were assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
The home adapted visiting arrangements to reflect residents' needs and worked with families and professionals when making decisions.
“The management team have listened to families and implemented national guidance” from the report
Keeping people connected
Staff helped residents stay occupied safely and maintain contact with friends and relatives, including through video calls.
“Staff helped people to stay in touch with their friends and family.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your visiting arrangements changed since the inspection, and how are they adapted to each resident's needs?
- 02How do you currently test residents and staff for infections, and how would you manage an outbreak?
- 03How do you check that staff use PPE correctly and that enough supplies are available?
- 04How often are cleaning and infection control audits carried out, and can families see the results?
- 05What support is available for residents who want to keep in touch with family and friends when they cannot visit in person?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, including visiting arrangements; it did not provide a full service rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 May 2021 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 Stallcombe House
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 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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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
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.