CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Grove
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Inspectors found safe staffing, safeguarding, medicines and infection control. However, repeated leaks and water damage meant there was limited assurance about safety and an increased risk that people could be harmed.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. The report says the previous ratings were used to calculate the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. The report's overall findings describe kind, compassionate and dignity-respecting care.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. Inspectors reported that support was tailored to the person's needs, choices and goals.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers reviewed the service, acted on incidents and had plans for improvements. Inspectors found a positive, person-centred culture and good partnership working.
What inspectors found, January 2024
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, person-centred care, but ongoing building leaks meant Safe was Requires Improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection carried out over four visits in November 2023. Inspectors met the person living at the home, contacted relatives, spoke with staff and health professionals, and checked care, medicines, staff and management records.
The person was supported with choice, independence and daily activities. Inspectors found kind care, enough staff, safe medicines practice, safeguarding knowledge and good links with other services.
The main concern was repeated water leaking from the care home above. Rooms and parts of the building had been damaged. A refurbishment and other repairs were under way, but inspectors said the problem could continue until all causes were identified and fixed.
The overall rating was Good. Safe was rated Requires Improvement and well-led was rated Good. The other three areas were not inspected during this visit, so their previous ratings were used to calculate the overall rating.
Choice and independence
The person was supported to make decisions, use their strengths and pursue their goals.
“The person was supported to have maximum possible choice, control and independence.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found compassionate care that respected the person's privacy, dignity, needs and wishes.
“The person received kind and compassionate care.” from the report
Medicines and staffing
There were enough staff, medicines were managed safely, and staff had been trained and assessed as competent.
“The person's medicines were managed in a safe manner.” from the report
Positive leadership
The manager and staff placed the person's needs at the centre of the service and worked with other agencies to support their wellbeing.
“The registered manager promoted a positive, person-centred culture.” from the report
Ongoing leaks and water damage
seriousWater had entered nearly all rooms over time and the conservatory was leaking. Repairs and a full refurbishment were under way, but inspectors said the underlying causes had not all been identified and fixed.
“The person told us of ongoing problems with the building from water leaking in from the other care home above and showed us rooms, which had water damage.” from the report
- 01Which parts of the leak and water-damage work have now been completed, and what work is still outstanding?
- 02What happens if water leaks into the home again, and how will the person be kept safe during repairs?
- 03What is the timetable for the full refurbishment and replacement of the conservatory?
- 04How are building checks and repairs recorded and reviewed by the manager?
- 05How will you show that the Safe rating has improved since this inspection?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and well-led only; the other three ratings were not inspected and the previous ratings were used to calculate the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 January 2024 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, May 2018
The Grove was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised support, with some records and building issues to improve.
The announced inspection took place on 4 April 2018. One inspector spoke with the person using the home, the registered manager and a support worker. The inspector also checked care records, medicines records, staff recruitment files, the building and quality checks.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, suitable training and support plans that reflected the person's wishes.
The person said they were happy and found staff friendly and helpful. Staff supported the person to follow routines, go out, develop independence and manage health needs. Inspectors also noted some restrictions needed clearer records, and that lounge space and mail arrangements were not ideal.
The home had also been rated Good at the previous inspection in October and November 2015. This report says it remained good and met all the fundamental standards inspected against.
Personalised support
Support plans reflected the person's needs, wishes and preferences. Staff helped the person develop independent living skills and follow their own routines.
“Support plans were in place to meet people's assessed needs. These plans incorporated people's wishes and preferences about how their support was to be given.” from the report
Kind staff
Inspectors found a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Staff understood the person well and encouraged confidence, social contact and independence.
“Staff demonstrated a kind and caring approach. We saw staff sought the individual's views and engaged them in conversations about their day.” from the report
Safe medicines practice
Staff were trained to handle medicines. Records were complete, storage was secure and stocks were checked.
“Medicine administration records (MARs) were correctly completed. Medicines were safely and securely stored, and stocks were monitored to ensure these were available when they needed.” from the report
Regular oversight
The manager carried out monthly checks covering areas such as medicines, health and safety, and staff development. These checks were used to plan improvements.
“They completed monthly audits of all aspects of the service, such as health and safety, medicine management, and staff development.” from the report
Restrictions needed clearer records
needs fixingInspectors said staff needed full information about legal conditions and the reasons for restrictions. Records also needed to make clear why staff support was required in particular situations.
“Staff needed to ensure they always obtained all of the information about any conditions that were imposed because if the person did not adhere to these they could be recalled to hospital.” from the report
Limited lounge space
minorSome former en-suite facilities remained in rooms now used as lounges. Inspectors said this reduced the available communal space, and the manager agreed to discuss it with the provider.
“We did note that when the service was converted from being a part of a large nursing home to a small unit the en-suite facilities had not been removed from bedrooms that were now being used as lounges.” from the report
Mail arrangements
minorThe home did not have a separate postal address. Mail was sometimes lost, and action was being taken to improve how it was delivered.
“The service does not have a separate postal address and this had led to all the mail going to Balmoral Court.” from the report
- 01How have you updated care records to show the reasons for current restrictions and the legal conditions that apply?
- 02What changes have been made to give people more usable lounge space?
- 03How is post now delivered, and what safeguards are in place to prevent items being lost?
- 04How many staff who can drive are now employed to support people's wishes to go out?
- 05How would you support someone if their physical health or emotional wellbeing began to deteriorate?
This was a planned inspection covering the overall quality of the home and all five key questions, including care, staffing, records, medicines, the building and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 May 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 Grove
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2024Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 February 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
36 live-in carers within about an hour of Newcastle upon Tyne
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 £950 to £1,160 a week. 30 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.