CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Daltons
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including visitor checks, PPE, testing, cleaning and vaccination requirements. The provider also said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was a targeted inspection and this question was not assessed.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was a targeted inspection and this question was not assessed.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This was a targeted inspection and this question was not assessed.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was a targeted inspection and this question was not assessed.
What inspectors found, January 2022
The Daltons: inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements during a targeted COVID-19 review.
The home supports up to six people with mental health needs, a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. Six young people aged between 16 and 25 lived there when inspectors visited.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 13 January 2022. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19. They gave the home 48 hours' notice.
Inspectors found robust visitor checks, testing, cleaning, PPE and infection-control policies. They were assured that the home was meeting the infection-control measures covered by the inspection. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Infection prevention
The home had systems to reduce the spread of infection. Visitors were screened, tested and checked for vaccination status.
“Systems were in place to prevent people, staff and visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Clean and well maintained
The home was described as clean, tidy, spacious and well maintained. Cleaning included frequently touched areas and ventilation was used where possible.
“The service was very clean, tidy, spacious and well maintained.” from the report
PPE and testing
Staff used appropriate PPE, supplies were available and used PPE was disposed of properly. People and staff took part in regular testing.
“Staff were observed to be wearing appropriate PPE and the service had ample supplies.” from the report
Support during the pandemic
Managers understood the particular difficulties faced by the young people and made adjustments to support them safely.
“They recognised the particular difficulties they faced and did all they could to make reasonable and safe adjustments to support people and meet their needs.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you currently managing any staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 or other absences?
- 02What visitor screening, testing and vaccination checks are currently required?
- 03How often are the home’s infection-control policies, risk assessments and audits reviewed?
- 04How do you make safe adjustments for young people when infection-control measures affect their daily lives?
- 05Are people living here and staff still taking part in regular testing, and how are the results managed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 January 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, October 2018
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding support for people’s independence, activities and personal goals.
Inspectors visited on 23 August 2018. The visit was announced 48 hours in advance. They spoke with all six people living there, two relatives, staff and professionals. They also checked care records, staff files, training, medicines and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for being safe, effective, caring and well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable recruitment checks, safe medicines procedures, clean premises and appropriate risk assessments. People received support from trained staff and had access to health services.
The home was rated Outstanding for being responsive. Inspectors found highly personalised support that helped people build independence, take part in education or work, develop relationships and enjoy activities. The overall Good rating was unchanged from the previous inspection in February 2016.
Personal goals and independence
The home helped people develop life skills, make choices and become more independent. This included support with education, employment, money management, travel and moving to independent living.
“People were empowered to participate in education and employment which supported their growth and learning as well as increased their confidence.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans covered individual needs, communication, behaviour, education and employment. People were involved in planning and reviewing their care.
“People's care records were person-centred and demonstrated staff had an excellent understanding of their individual needs.” from the report
Safe care
Inspectors found suitable staffing, safeguarding training, risk assessments and medicines systems. Records checked were complete and up to date.
“Appropriate arrangements were in place for the safe management, administration and storage of medicines.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff listened to people, respected their privacy and gave support suited to their needs. People were encouraged to maintain relationships with friends and relatives.
“Our observations confirmed staff treated people with dignity and respect.” from the report
Strong activities and therapeutic support
People took part in varied activities, holidays and community opportunities. A psychologist visited weekly to support people and staff.
“The service commissioned a psychologist who visited the service weekly to provide support to people and staff.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you support my relative’s individual goals for independence, education, work or moving on?
- 02How will you involve my relative in writing and reviewing their care plans?
- 03What activities and community opportunities are available, and how are choices made?
- 04How will you support my relative’s communication needs and recognise their triggers or signs of distress?
- 05How are medicines checked, and how will my relative be supported to understand or manage them?
This was an announced inspection covering all five CQC questions, and the report says the overall Good rating had not changed since the February 2016 inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 October 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 The Daltons
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2016Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- February 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 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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47 live-in carers within about an hour of County Durham
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 £960 to £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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.