CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Acorns
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm, and there were enough suitable staff. Inspectors found some infection control, cleanliness and medicine recording issues, which the registered manager addressed.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives said staff were kind and supportive. Inspectors found that people’s dignity, privacy, independence and choices were respected.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- Management systems and audits did not always identify or resolve concerns about infection control, medicines and records. The registered manager was asked to embed these processes into practice.
What inspectors found, December 2023
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind and safe care, but the home’s leadership and checking systems require improvement.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 9 and 10 November 2023. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Caring. People were protected from abuse, there were enough suitable staff, medicines were administered safely, and people described staff as kind and supportive. Some infection control, cleanliness and medicine recording issues were found and addressed during or after the inspection.
Well-led was rated Requires Improvement. The home’s audits and checks had not always found or resolved the problems inspectors identified. The registered manager was asked to make sure these systems become part of consistent practice.
The overall rating remained Good. The inspection only directly reviewed Safe, Caring and Well-led. The other ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection, which was published on 30 November 2017.
Kind and respectful care
People enjoyed living at the home and staff knew them well. Inspectors saw warm and friendly interactions, while people’s privacy, dignity and independence were respected.
“Staff knew people well and interacted with people in a caring and understanding way.” from the report
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors saw enough staff to support people’s current needs. Recruitment processes were described as safe.
“The provider ensured there were sufficient numbers of suitable staff.” from the report
Medicines administered safely
Staff who administered medicines were trained and competent. Inspectors observed medicines being given safely, although some records needed improvement.
“We observed medicines being administered safely.” from the report
People involved in their care
People took part in planning activities, holidays and celebrations. Relatives said they were kept informed and involved.
“People were involved in social events and took part in planning holidays, activities and celebrations such as birthdays and seasonal events.” from the report
Infection control and cleanliness
needs fixingStaff were not consistently following safe infection control practices. Inspectors also found some areas that were unclean or needed maintenance, although the registered manager took action.
“We observed several staff wearing coats and/or long-sleeved clothing which presented a risk of cross infection.” from the report
Medicine records
needs fixingThere were minor recording problems, including missing temperature records for medicine storage areas. The registered manager acted after the inspection.
“During our inspection we found some minor recording issues and temperatures were not being recorded of storage areas.” from the report
Management checks
needs fixingThe home’s audits did not always identify or resolve the issues found by inspectors. The registered manager was recommended to make sure the systems work consistently.
“A range of quality audits had not always been instrumental in identifying or resolving the issues we found during our inspection.” from the report
- 01What checks are now in place to make sure staff follow infection control practices consistently?
- 02How do you record and check medicine storage temperatures and other medicine records?
- 03What action was taken to clean and maintain the en-suite bathroom and utility room?
- 04How do your audits now identify and resolve problems before they affect people?
- 05What evidence can you show that the improvements requested for Well-led have been embedded in everyday practice?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Caring and Well-led only; the other ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection published on 30 November 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 December 2023 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 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, although they found environmental issues that were promptly addressed.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 25 January 2021. It was carried out because the home had a COVID-19 outbreak and focused only on infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found clear infection control signs, regular testing, visitor checks and suitable use of personal protective equipment. They were assured that the home was managing visitors, shielding, social distancing, admissions, testing and outbreaks safely.
Some environmental issues were found during the visit. The home took prompt action to address them and was signposted to resources to develop its approach. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a full quality rating.
Clear infection control information
The home displayed clear reminders about infection control at the entrance and throughout the building.
“Prominent and clear infection prevention control (IPC) signs reminded everyone at the point of entry and throughout the home about procedures for infection control.” from the report
Testing and outbreak response
The home was using regular testing, which helped identify a COVID-19 outbreak.
“The home was accessing regular testing, which had assisted them in identifying an outbreak of COVID-19.” from the report
Visitor precautions
Visitors had their risks assessed and were given protective equipment. They also completed a health questionnaire and had their temperature checked.
“Visitors were provided with PPE, asked to complete a health questionnaire and temperature check taken on arrival.” from the report
Staff use of protective equipment
Staff were observed using protective equipment correctly, and managers checked that this continued.
“Staff were seen wearing PPE correctly and management carried out checks to ensure this was maintained.” from the report
Environmental issues
needs fixingInspectors found some environmental issues during the visit. The home took prompt action, but the report does not explain what the issues were.
“We identified some environmental issues at the time of the inspection, which the provider took prompt action to address.” from the report
- 01What environmental issues did inspectors identify, and what action was taken to put them right?
- 02How does the home currently test residents and staff for infections?
- 03What happens if there is another infection outbreak in the home?
- 04What checks are made on visitors when they arrive?
- 05How does management check that staff use personal protective equipment correctly?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a COVID-19 outbreak; the service was inspected but not rated and the other quality areas were not assessed in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 February 2021 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 The Acorns
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodCaring: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 March 2012.
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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