CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Tennyson Grange
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People's risks were recorded and managed. Staff understood safeguarding procedures, medicines were managed safely and the home carried out health, safety and infection control checks.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and supported to meet people's needs. The home supported nutrition, healthcare access, consent and best-interest decisions.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind, patient and respectful. People were involved in decisions, and staff supported privacy, dignity and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans recorded people's routines, preferences and communication needs. People had activities, visiting arrangements and support to maintain relationships.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had experienced leadership, regular audits and systems for feedback, complaints and learning from incidents. Staff felt supported to raise concerns.
What inspectors found, August 2022
Tennyson Grange rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, with recruitment continuing to improve consistency.
This was the home’s first inspection. It was unannounced and took place on 12 July 2022. Inspectors spoke with people living there and staff, observed care and reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment files and management checks.
Inspectors found that people were safe and that there were enough suitably skilled staff. Medicines were managed safely. Staff understood people's risks, safeguarded people from abuse and investigated accidents and complaints.
Care was described as kind and respectful. People had choices about their care, meals and activities. Staff supported people's health, independence, relationships and end-of-life wishes.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means the inspectors found consistently good care and management at the time of the visit. The provider was recruiting permanent staff to improve the consistency of support.
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff with the right skills for people's needs. Recruitment checks were carried out, and further permanent staff were being recruited.
“There were enough staff to support people. The numbers and skills of staff on duty matched the needs of people using the service.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were observed treating people warmly and patiently. They respected privacy and helped people remain as independent as possible.
“Staff were kind, caring and patient when supporting people. People were not rushed or hurried and could take as long as they wanted” from the report
Personalised support
People's care plans included their preferences, routines, communication needs and wishes. Staff knew people well and followed these plans.
“People's care records contained information about their preferences and choices for how their care and support should be provided.” from the report
Good health and medicines support
People received medicines as prescribed and were helped to access healthcare. Staff worked with healthcare professionals and acted on their advice.
“Our checks of medicines stocks, balances and records showed people consistently received the medicines prescribed to them.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could join a varied programme of activities and keep in touch with family and friends. Visitors were allowed without unnecessary restrictions.
“People were supported to take part in a wide range of activities at the service.” from the report
Permanent staffing was still being increased
minorAlthough staffing levels were judged sufficient, the provider was recruiting permanent staff to improve consistency. Ask what progress has been made since the inspection.
“The provider was actively recruiting new permanent staff to work at the service to help improve the consistency of support people received.” from the report
- 01How many permanent staff are now in post, and has the consistency of support improved since the inspection?
- 02What changes have been made to the communal areas since the planned refurbishment mentioned in the report?
- 03How has the activities programme developed, including outings and day trips using the minibus?
- 04How will you make sure my relative's preferences, communication needs and daily routines are recorded and followed?
- 05How do you work with healthcare professionals if my relative's health, eating or drinking needs change?
This was the home’s first unannounced inspection and covered all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 August 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, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was a targeted inspection on 8 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control during a COVID-19 outbreak, and asked about staffing pressures. The visit was announced 24 hours beforehand.
Inspectors found that the home responded quickly to positive COVID-19 cases. Relatives were kept informed, visits were managed safely, and people and staff were tested at suitable intervals. Staffing levels were maintained.
Inspectors were assured that the home used protective equipment safely, followed hygiene and distancing measures, managed admissions and visits safely, and had an up-to-date infection control policy.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give a new overall rating or ratings for the other four areas of care.
Outbreak response
The provider acted quickly when positive COVID-19 cases were found and was open with relatives about the situation.
“The provider had responded immediately and appropriately to put plans in place to ensure the safety of people and staff.” from the report
Safe visiting
Family visits were supported safely, and people who could not receive visitors could keep in touch by video or telephone.
“The provider made sure visits were undertaken in a safe way.” from the report
Infection control practice
Staff had relevant training, used protective equipment correctly, and followed infection control guidance during the visit.
“Staff followed current guidance and practice throughout our visit.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the environment clean and saw enhanced cleaning taking place every day.
“Enhanced cleaning took place throughout the environment on a daily basis.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control arrangements are in place now, and how are they different from those seen during the February 2022 outbreak?
- 02How will you keep relatives informed if there is another infection outbreak?
- 03How do you make sure staffing levels remain safe when staff are absent because of illness or infection control requirements?
- 04How can residents keep in touch with family if visits have to be restricted?
- 05What were the findings of the home's most recent full inspection, since this report only assessed infection prevention and control?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not assess the other four questions or give an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 February 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.
Every inspection of Tennyson Grange
2 rated inspections over a year: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2019
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 October 2019.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Sutton
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 £1,230 a week. 81 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She cared for my mum with Alzheimer's with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude”
“Terry has been of invaluable help to our family while working as a part-time live-in carer for our mother for approximately 6 months”
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.