CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Strawberry Field
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were safe. The home also had risk assessments for visiting and measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not reported on in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not reported on in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not reported on in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not reported on in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, cleanliness and visiting arrangements during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 16 February 2022. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors found the home was visibly clean. They were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visitors, admissions, protective equipment, testing, social distancing and outbreak prevention.
People were supported to stay safe while keeping contact with others. Risk assessments supported visits to the home and visits to family members elsewhere.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report is not an overall judgement on the quality of care.
Clean environment
The home was clean, including high-risk touch points and shared facilities. People were involved in cleaning to support their independence.
“The home was visibly clean throughout, with regular cleaning of high-risk areas such as touch points and shared facilities.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements covering protective equipment, testing, admissions, visitors and managing outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Contact with others
During the outbreak, people were supported to remain safe while keeping social contact with other people in the home and staff.
“During the recent outbreak, measures were put in place to support people to maintain their safety, as well as social contact with the other members of the home and staff, to prevent social isolation.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Risk assessments supported visits at the home and visits to family members elsewhere.
“Risk assessments were in place to support safe visiting at the home, and to support people to visit family members in their own homes.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and when were they last reviewed?
- 02How would you manage visiting if there were another infection outbreak?
- 03What measures are in place now if COVID-19 causes staffing pressures?
- 04How are people supported to keep in contact with family and avoid social isolation?
- 05What are the current arrangements for protective equipment, testing and safe admissions?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not reported on. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 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, July 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with well-led management improved since the previous inspection.
This was a planned, announced inspection on 27 June 2019. One inspector spoke with three residents and three staff members. They reviewed care and medicine records, staff recruitment and supervision files, training information, meeting notes and quality checks.
The home supported four people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Inspectors found people were safe, medicines were managed properly, and there were enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff supported people with health, food, communication, relationships and daily independence.
People told inspectors staff were caring and listened to them. Care plans were personalised and written in an easy-read format. People were involved in decisions about their care and had opportunities to take part in activities, hobbies and community life.
All five areas were rated Good. The overall rating stayed Good. The well-led rating improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection because quality checks had been strengthened.
Safety and staffing
People felt safe and staff understood safeguarding. There were enough staff, with staffing increased when people wanted extra support to go out.
“There continued to be enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions, learn skills and take part in everyday tasks. The home also supported community activities, hobbies and relationships.
“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
Caring staff
People described staff as caring and said they were listened to. Inspectors saw staff spending time with people and respecting their privacy.
“Staff treated people in a caring way which respected their privacy and dignity.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans explained what each person could do independently and what support they needed. Information was provided in easy-read formats with pictures.
“People's care was planned and delivered in a person-centred way.” from the report
Improved management checks
The home had improved its quality monitoring since the previous inspection. Audits covered all areas and action was taken when problems were found.
“At this inspection this key question has now improved to good because audits had been improved.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What extra training have staff received in oral health, diabetes and dementia since the inspection?
- 02How are staffing levels adjusted when residents want to go out or need more support?
- 03How will you support my relative to build independence and take part in activities in the local community?
- 04How will information about my relative's communication, medicines and care needs be shared if they go into hospital?
- 05How are residents and relatives told about the results of quality checks and any action taken?
This was an announced inspection of the care, premises and management of the home, covering all five CQC questions; all ratings were assessed at this inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 July 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 Strawberry Field
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 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
13 live-in carers within about an hour of Norfolk
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 £990 to £1,120 a week. 9 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
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.