CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Tenterden House Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home had effective infection prevention and control arrangements. They found suitable measures for visitors, PPE, testing, admissions, hygiene and managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although the report describes support for people to see their families.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although the report describes activities and arrangements designed around people's wishes.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although inspectors found that policies and guidance had been put into practice.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found robust infection control and creative efforts to help people stay connected with family.
This was a targeted inspection on 25 August 2020. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. The visit was announced.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks. This included visitor checks, personal protective equipment, social distancing, testing, safe admissions, cleaning and outbreak planning.
The home also helped people stay connected with their families. It arranged garden performances and supported family visits, including for people nearing the end of their lives.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give a full overall rating or ratings for the other care areas.
Family contact
The home used its gardens and other parts of the building to help people see relatives, including people receiving end-of-life care.
“The registered manager had gone the extra mile to ensure that people were able to see their family.” from the report
Infection control systems
Inspectors found that the provider's policies and guidance had been put into practice at the home.
“The provider had developed a robust package of policies, procedures and guidance for locations which the registered manager had successfully implemented at the location.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened and supported to use PPE before entering the home?
- 02How are people and staff currently being tested, and what happens if someone tests positive?
- 03How can residents see their families now, including people who are receiving end-of-life care?
- 04How do you safely admit new residents and manage any infection outbreaks?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 September 2020 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, March 2018
Tenterden House Care Home was rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally caring and well-led care, with the other areas rated Good.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 17 and 18 January 2018. Further information was received on 5 February 2018. Inspectors observed care, spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment, training, safety checks and quality audits.
Inspectors found that people were safe, received effective care and had enough suitably trained staff to meet their needs. Medicines were managed safely, the home was clean, and care plans were detailed and regularly reviewed.
The care was rated Outstanding because staff were exceptionally kind, respectful and focused on people's individual lives and wishes. The home was also rated Outstanding for being well-led, with strong management, good feedback systems and ongoing efforts to improve people's experience.
The overall rating means the service was performing exceptionally well at the time of this inspection. Safe, effective and responsive care were rated Good, which means inspectors found these areas met the expected standard.
Exceptional kindness
Staff understood what mattered to people and took creative steps to help them achieve personal goals and remain connected with family and the community.
“This demonstrated a 'people first' approach and showed that staff went the extra mile to improve the experiences of people's everyday lives” from the report
Strong leadership
Inspectors found the home exceptionally well managed, with approachable managers, positive teamwork and a clear focus on improving care.
“The home was exceptionally well managed.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
There were enough staff with the right skills, recruitment checks were robust and medicines were administered, recorded and audited safely.
“Sufficient numbers of staff with the right skills and abilities were deployed to meet people's needs.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans recorded people's needs, choices and wishes. Staff supported independence, changing needs, preferred routines and end of life wishes.
“People's care plans were personalised and contained detailed information to help staff respond to people's changing needs.” from the report
Useful activities
People could choose activities at the home and in the community. Activities reflected people's interests, cultures and beliefs.
“This demonstrated that activities were tailored around people's individual likes, dislikes and interests.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and record my relative's individual risks and changing care needs?
- 02How often will my relative's care plan be reviewed, and how can our family take part?
- 03What training and supervision will the staff caring for my relative have?
- 04Which activities could my relative join, including activities outside the home?
- 05How will you support my relative's health needs, nutrition and end of life wishes if these become relevant?
This was an unannounced inspection of the whole service, covering all five CQC questions and the care, accommodation and management provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 March 2018 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 Tenterden House Care Home
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- February 2016Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 November 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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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Hertfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.