CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Tasker House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from avoidable harm, and risks were assessed and managed. Inspectors found sufficient staffing, safe recruitment, safe medicines and good infection control.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had suitable induction, training and supervision. People received support with eating and drinking, healthcare, oral health and decisions made in their best interests.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found exceptionally kind, compassionate and respectful care. Staff knew people well, supported their choices and made exceptional efforts to maintain relationships and create meaningful experiences.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were detailed and personalised, and staff understood people's preferences and needs. People had activities, communication support, family contact and end of life care, with a complaints process in place.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had approachable leadership, regular staff support and quality checks. Managers used feedback, incident reviews and advice from healthcare professionals to improve care.
What inspectors found, November 2019
Tasker House was rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring; inspectors found safe, personalised care and strong relationships.
This was an unannounced inspection on 14 October 2019. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, a relative and staff. They also observed care and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, well-managed risks, safe medicines, suitable training and detailed care plans. People were supported with food, health needs, activities and complaints.
Caring improved from Good to Outstanding. Inspectors saw exceptionally kind and respectful care. Staff knew people very well, supported their choices and made extra efforts to help them enjoy relationships, activities and special occasions.
The overall Good rating means the home was meeting the relevant standards at the time of this inspection. The previous overall rating was also Good, published on 23 June 2017.
Kind and compassionate care
People and relatives consistently described staff as caring and attentive. Inspectors observed meaningful relationships and staff spending time with people.
“People were supported by very kind, caring and compassionate staff who often went the extra mile” from the report
Respect and individuality
Staff treated people with dignity and knew their preferences. People could make choices about their care, including who provided personal care.
“People were treated with dignity and respect in a way that truly valued them as individuals.” from the report
Meaningful activities
The home supported activities, outings and special occasions. Staff also arranged a boat trip for people with an interest in boats and naval life.
“Staff provided people with meaningful and creative activities such as going out for walks, day trips, meals out, quizzes and musical entertainment.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
People and staff said there were enough staff, and rotas showed staffing was consistent. Medicines were received, stored, given and disposed of safely.
“Medicines were received, stored, administered and disposed of safely.” from the report
Detailed personalised care
Care plans covered physical, communication, social and emotional needs. Staff used communication tools and worked with professionals to support people effectively.
“They contained very detailed guidance for staff to follow in relation to meeting people's specific needs.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure the detailed care plans still reflect each person's current needs?
- 02How do you support people who have difficulty communicating or who are living with dementia?
- 03How do you monitor food and fluid intake for people at risk of poor nutrition or dehydration?
- 04What activities and outings are available for someone with my relative's interests and abilities?
- 05How do you review falls, accidents and other incidents, and what changes have resulted?
This was an unannounced planned inspection that assessed all five CQC questions and reviewed the overall quality and safety of the home. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 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.
What inspectors found, June 2017
Tasker House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, effective, kind and personalised care, with all five areas rated Good.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 01 June 2017. The inspector spoke with nine people, five staff members and a visiting healthcare professional. They also observed care and checked care records, staff files, medicines, training, staffing and complaints information.
The inspectors found that people were safe and received their medicines as prescribed. There were enough staff, recruitment checks were completed, and risk assessments were reviewed. Staff were trained, supported people to make choices and helped them maintain their health and nutrition.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Care plans were personalised and involved people and, where appropriate, their relatives. People could take part in activities and knew how to complain.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection in June 2015, so this report says it remained Good.
Safe care
People had individual risk assessments to help them remain as independent as possible while staying safe. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse.
“People had individual risk assessments to enable them to be as independent as possible whilst keeping safe.” from the report
Trained staff
Staff received induction, ongoing training, supervision and appraisal. Inspectors found they had the knowledge and skills needed for their roles.
“People received care from staff that were knowledgeable and had received the training and support they needed.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and treated them with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect. They offered choices and reassured people when needed.
“People were treated with dignity and respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's strengths, needs and life histories. People and their relatives were involved where appropriate.
“Care plans had been written in a personalised way for each individual and were reviewed regularly.” from the report
Activities and leadership
People could take part in a range of activities and follow their interests. Staff felt supported by management, and quality checks were used to 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 assess and regularly update my relative's individual risks and care plan?
- 02What training and ongoing support have staff had for my relative's specific needs, including dementia care if relevant?
- 03How do you make sure medicines are given as prescribed and records remain accurate?
- 04What activities are available, and how will you support my relative's hobbies and interests?
- 05How can my relative or our family raise a complaint, and how will it be handled?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 June 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 Tasker House
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- November 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 December 2010.
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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89 live-in carers within about an hour of North 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 £1,260 a week. 76 can care for a couple. 12 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.”
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.