CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Stonecroft
Not yet rated: the CQC has not published a rated inspection for this home, which is usual for a new registration.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Stonecroft was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection control and visiting arrangements.
The CQC visited the home on 14 February 2022. This was a targeted, announced inspection, with one day's notice. It looked at infection control, visiting arrangements and whether staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 were affecting the service.
The home provides short-term respite care for young adults with learning disabilities and some complex health conditions. Four people were staying there during the inspection, although the home can accommodate five people.
Inspectors found good arrangements to reduce infection risks. They saw regular cleaning, suitable use of protective equipment, screening for visitors and professionals, and risk assessments for people using the service.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or a rated score for the areas inspected.
Clean and well-managed environment
The layout, cleaning routines and environmental checks were used to reduce the risk of infection spreading.
“The layout of the premises ensured the risk of the spread of COVID-19 was reduced.” from the report
Protective equipment
Protective equipment was available and inspectors saw staff using it as required.
“PPE was readily available, and we observed staff wearing PPE as required.” from the report
Visitor screening
The home had procedures for visitors and professionals, including checks before entry.
“They are subject to a range of screening procedures, including showing evidence of Covid-19 vaccination and a negative lateral flow test before entry into the home was allowed.” from the report
Individual risk planning
Risk assessments included guidance about COVID-19 symptoms and safe access to the community.
“Detailed risk assessments were in place for people who used the service which included guidance for staff to follow should the person display symptoms of COVID-19, how to safely access the community.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control and visiting procedures are in place now, and how have they changed since the inspection?
- 02How do you check visitors and professionals before they enter the home?
- 03How do you assess and manage each person's health risks during a short respite stay?
- 04Have COVID-19-related staffing pressures affected the service, and how would you manage this if they returned?
- 05How do you keep risk assessments up to date when a person's symptoms or ability to access the community changes?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 March 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, November 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred respite care with strong support for choice and independence.
This was a planned inspection on 4 September 2019. One inspector spoke with people using the home, relatives and staff, and reviewed care plans, medicine records, staff files and management records.
The home provides short-term respite care for up to five young adults with learning disabilities and some complex health conditions. Four people were staying there during the inspection.
Inspectors found that people were safe, treated with kindness and supported by staff who knew them well. People had choices about their care, food, activities and daily routines. Staff supported people to develop skills, become more independent and maintain relationships.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection, published in March 2017, also rated the home Good.
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions, develop skills and become more independent. Staff used the least restrictive approach and recorded best-interest decisions when needed.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw a warm and friendly atmosphere. Staff knew people's likes and preferences and respected their privacy, dignity and need for time and space.
“We found the atmosphere in the service was warm and friendly.” from the report
Activities and inclusion
People could choose from a range of activities and outings, and were supported to develop relationships and avoid social isolation.
“People were supported to participate in activities of their choosing. These included swimming, shopping, walking, theatre trips, cinema and attending the local gym.” from the report
Skilled and consistent staff
Staff received induction, training and regular supervision. A consistent team knew people's needs and communicated effectively about changes.
“People were kept safe and supported by consistent staff who knew them and their needs well.” from the report
Strong management
The management team was described as open and approachable. The home used audits, feedback and partnership working to oversee quality.
“The registered manager and deputy manager worked well together and had an open and approachable management style.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you tailor each respite stay to my relative's communication, health and behavioural support needs?
- 02What one-to-one staffing will be available, and how will you support my relative to take part in their chosen activities?
- 03How will you manage and record my relative's medicines during a stay?
- 04How will you support any special dietary needs, feeding equipment or choking risks?
- 05How will you involve our family in care reviews and share information about food, fluids, health or incidents after each stay?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, and it looked at both the care provided and the care home premises. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 November 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 Stonecroft
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 March 2015.
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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26 live-in carers within about an hour of Hampshire
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. 23 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
“I cannot recommend Prisca highly enough, she is one in a million.”
“He stayed with her throughout the pandemic, refusing to visit his own family, who lived nearby, to reduce the risk of infection.”
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.