CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Stoke House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, medicines were managed safely, staffing was sufficient and the home was clean and well maintained.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- People received exceptionally good support with healthcare, dental care, nutrition, emotional wellbeing and personal goals. Staff were trained and worked well with other professionals.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff knew people well, respected their privacy and choices, and supported them to achieve goals in education, employment and daily life.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and included people's communication needs, preferences, relationships and activities. People were supported to take part in home and community activities.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found an open and supportive culture, with systems to monitor quality, respond to incidents and use feedback to make improvements.
What inspectors found, December 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found exceptionally effective, person-centred care, with no breaches or enforcement action reported.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 19 and 20 November 2019. One inspector spoke with five people and five staff, and reviewed care records, medicines records, training records and management records.
The home supported 11 people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with kindness and supported to make choices, develop independence and follow their interests.
The strongest area was Effective, rated Outstanding. Inspectors found very good support with healthcare, dental care, emotional wellbeing, food, staff training and people's personal goals. Safe, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good.
The overall rating was Good. The home had also been rated Good at the previous inspection, published in May 2017. Effective improved from Good to Outstanding.
Healthcare support
Staff worked patiently with people who were anxious about healthcare. They arranged familiarisation visits and worked with health professionals to improve outcomes.
“People were exceptionally well supported with access to health care services.” from the report
Personal goals
People were supported to pursue education, employment, work experience and other ambitions. Inspectors saw positive effects on independence and emotional wellbeing.
“People were well supported with their goals and ambitions and had achieved positive outcomes including academic success and work experience opportunities.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in decisions about their care, menus and activities. Staff supported people to take positive risks and go out independently where appropriate.
“The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion.” from the report
Skilled and supported staff
Staff received induction, regular training, supervision and specialist training designed to improve understanding of people's experiences and needs.
“Staff had received an induction and regular training that ensured they had the skills they needed to do their job.” from the report
Building size
minorThe home is larger than current best practice guidance for this type of service. Inspectors said the design and setting reduced the negative impact.
“This home is larger than current best practice guidance.” from the report
- 01How will you support my relative to access healthcare and dental appointments if they are anxious or distressed?
- 02How will you support my relative's personal goals, such as education, work or developing daily living skills?
- 03How will my relative be involved in decisions about their care, food, activities and use of the community?
- 04How does the home's size affect daily life, privacy and opportunities for individual support?
- 05How are medicines, incidents and changing risks checked and followed up?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and both the care provided and the premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 December 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.
What inspectors found, May 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with strong support for people's independence.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 24 April 2017. The inspector spoke with three people, reviewed care plans and records, checked staff recruitment and support, and looked at how the home monitored quality.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough suitably skilled staff, safe medicines arrangements, appropriate training, good support with health and nutrition, and respectful relationships.
People had individual care plans and were supported to work towards personal goals, build confidence and take part in activities. The home remained Good, matching its rating at the previous inspection in January 2015.
Enough skilled staff
Inspectors found that staffing levels and staff skills were sufficient to meet people's needs and support activities without rushing.
“The provider operated a system that consistently ensured that there were enough suitably skilled and experienced staff on duty to meet the needs of people.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff were trained to administer medicines safely. Audits took place twice a week, and people received medicines at the right times.
“Audits of medicines administration were carried out twice a week to ensure that people received their medicines safely.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's preferences, health needs and goals. People were supported to build confidence, learn life skills and become more independent.
“People's care plans contained detailed information about how people wanted to be supported with their personal care and their health needs.” from the report
Kind relationships
People appeared comfortable with staff and were treated with compassion and respect. Staff used communication methods suited to each person.
“People developed positive relationships with staff and were treated with compassion and respect.” from the report
Good leadership checks
The home had audits, unannounced monthly visits from a senior manager, and surveys to gather views and identify improvements.
“Quality assurance systems were in place to help drive improvements.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you use my relative's care plan to support their personal goals, communication needs and independence?
- 02How do you make sure there are enough suitably skilled staff when people want to take part in activities?
- 03How will you support someone who needs help with autism, sensory impairment or behaviour that others may find challenging?
- 04How are medicines checked and what would you do if a dose was late or missed?
- 05How do you involve residents and relatives in reviewing care plans and making changes to the home?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five ratings, and the home was rated Good in each area. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 May 2017 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 Stoke House
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 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.
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 West Northamptonshire
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 £980 to £1,280 a week. 87 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“We can all fully relax around Nyarai and she feels like part of our family, which is no mean feat!”
“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.”
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.