CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Gables
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, visiting, testing, protective equipment, cleaning and COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although people told inspectors they felt safe and well cared for.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection, although inspectors found that infection control policies and governance arrangements supported the required procedures.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control and visiting arrangements during COVID-19.
This was a targeted inspection on 14 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and any staffing pressures linked to COVID-19. The visit was announced one day beforehand.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were checked, protective equipment was used safely, testing was available and the home was clean. They also found that infection control policies were up to date and that vaccination requirements were being met.
People said they felt safe and well cared for. The home kept relatives informed about visiting, testing and vaccination arrangements.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a new overall quality rating or a full rating for all five areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors found that staff were trained in infection prevention and control, used protective equipment appropriately and had regular competency checks.
“People were cared for by staff trained in safe infection, prevention and control, (IPC), practices who had their competencies regularly checked.” from the report
Clean premises
The home was visibly clean and in good order. Staff were seen cleaning frequently touched areas.
“The premises and equipment were visibly clean and in good order.” from the report
Communication with families
The home kept relatives informed about government guidance and helped people understand testing and vaccination decisions.
“The service communicated well with relatives so they were aware of what was expected as per current Government guidelines.” from the report
Safe visiting arrangements
Visitors were screened, asked to test and provided with suitable protective equipment. Risk assessments were used for visits and outings.
“Family, friends and professionals visiting the service were required to carry out a rapid lateral flow devise test on the day and were issued appropriate PPE.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01Are visitors still asked to complete health checks, testing or other screening before entering the home?
- 02How do you currently manage COVID-19 or other infection risks among residents, staff and visitors?
- 03How is protective equipment supplied and checked to make sure staff use it safely?
- 04How do you keep relatives informed when visiting rules or infection control arrangements change?
- 05What are the home's current staffing arrangements when staff are absent because of illness or other COVID-19 pressures?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and 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 28 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, January 2020
The Gables was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some work still in progress.
This was a planned inspection on 8 and 9 January 2020. One inspector visited the home, spoke with people, relatives, managers and staff, and observed care. They also checked care plans, medicines records, staffing, training, maintenance and quality checks.
The home supported eight people with autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities. Inspectors found people felt safe and were treated with patience, kindness, dignity and respect. Staff knew people well and supported their choices, health needs, communication, activities and independence.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found good standards across the areas they checked. The overall rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, published on 24 May 2017.
Kind and respectful staff
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. Inspectors observed warmth, patience and respect, and found that staff knew people's preferences and histories.
“People were relaxed and happy with staff, who knew them very well.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's needs, communication methods, preferences and goals. Staff supported people to make choices and develop independence.
“The service and staff demonstrated an individual, person-centred approach which was reflected in the care and support plans people received.” from the report
Safe medicines and safeguarding
Medicines were managed safely and staff had current training and competency checks. Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse.
“Medicines were safely managed, stored and administered. People received their medicines when they needed them.” from the report
Activities and independence
People took part in activities at home and in the community, including trips, hobbies, meals out and life-skill tasks.
“Where possible people led active lives and were encouraged and enabled to pursue hobbies and a wide range of activities both in the home and in the wider community.” from the report
Good oversight
The home had audits, staff meetings and processes for reviewing incidents and improving care. Staff said they felt supported and able to raise concerns.
“There was a process of continual improvement and quality assurance with a variety of audits completed to ensure the quality of the provision was maintained.” from the report
Recruitment was continuing
needs fixingThe home was recruiting more staff, and inspectors observed staff working at full capacity. The report says extra staff were brought in when additional support was needed.
“The registered manager was in the process of recruiting further staff. During our inspection we observed staff were working at full capacity.” from the report
Water safety testing was pending
minorLegionella testing was due immediately after the inspection. The report does not say that people were harmed, but families may wish to ask whether this was completed.
“Legionella testing was scheduled to be completed immediately following the inspection.” from the report
Advance care plans were being developed
minorThe home was putting advance care plans in place for people who wanted them. No one was receiving end of life care during the inspection.
“The registered manager was in the process of putting advance care plans in place for people who wished to have them completed.” from the report
- 01What is the current staffing level, and has recruitment been completed since the inspection?
- 02How do you increase staffing when people have health appointments or other visits?
- 03Was the planned legionella testing completed, and were any actions needed?
- 04Have advance care plans now been discussed and completed for people who want them?
- 05How will you support my relative's preferred communication method, activities and independence?
This was a planned comprehensive inspection of the care home, including the premises and care provided, and all five CQC questions were rated Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 January 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.
Every inspection of The Gables
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 October 2015.
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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15 live-in carers within about an hour of Dorset
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 £1,040 to £1,340 a week. 11 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Even when things get a bit chaotic (as they sometimes do!), you’ve handled it with patience and a sense of humour — which is gold.”
“Nina was patient, focussed on my aunt's physical well-being, and unfazed by what at the time was a new and uncertain situation”
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.