CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found people were safe, risks were assessed and managed, staffing was sufficient, and recruitment checks were completed. Medicines, infection control and learning from incidents were also well managed.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs were assessed. Staff were trained and supported, people had choices about food and activities, and health professionals were involved when needed.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Staff were exceptionally kind, respectful and person-centred. People were supported to make choices, develop independence and live meaningful lives.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's individual needs, preferences and goals. People were supported with communication, family contact, activities, complaints and end of life wishes.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found strong leadership, an open culture and effective quality checks. Staff felt able to speak up, challenge practice and suggest improvements.
What inspectors found, September 2019
The Lodge was rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred support.
This was an unannounced inspection on 9 and 10 July 2019. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives, staff and a professional. They observed care and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
Inspectors found people were safe, supported by enough staff and given medicines safely. Care was planned around individual needs. People were supported to make choices, build independence, enjoy activities and access health services.
Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors saw exceptionally kind and respectful staff who knew people very well. Safe, effective, responsive and well-led were rated Good. The overall rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, while caring improved from Good to Outstanding.
Kind and respectful care
Staff were consistently described and observed as warm, patient and respectful. Inspectors saw people relaxed and at home with staff.
“People were exceptionally well cared for by kind and caring staff.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make their own decisions, try new activities and develop skills rather than having things done for them.
“People were supported to live as full a life as possible and staff were willing to go the extra mile to support them in this.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of through well-managed systems. Pharmacy audits had been completed and actions followed up.
“Medicines were ordered, received, stored and disposed of safely.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's health, communication, emotional and social needs. Staff knew what could cause distress and how to respond.
“People's care plans fully reflected their physical, mental, emotional and social needs.” from the report
Open leadership
Managers promoted an open culture where staff could admit mistakes, challenge practice and contribute ideas. Quality checks were followed up.
“The provider had a comprehensive system in place to monitor the quality and effectiveness of the service” from the report
Larger than current guidance
minorThe home supported up to 12 people and was larger than current best practice guidance for this type of service. Inspectors said the design and approach reduced any negative effect on people.
“The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties.” from the report
- 01How would you support my relative if they had complex needs or behaviour that could challenge?
- 02How would you match staff to my relative, particularly if certain people or situations caused anxiety?
- 03What checks are currently used to make sure medicines remain safe and errors are learned from?
- 04How would my relative have privacy and choice within the shared communal areas and the larger home?
- 05How are you developing support for people's relationships and sexuality, which managers identified as a future focus?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, with observations, interviews and reviews of care, medicines, staffing and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 September 2019 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 2017
The Lodge: Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with strong leadership.
Inspectors visited without notice on 12 December 2016. They spoke with people living at the home, staff, the manager and a relative. They observed care and checked medicines, meals, care records, risk assessments, recruitment and training records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, detailed care plans and staff who understood people's individual needs.
People were treated with kindness and respect. They were supported to make choices, stay independent, enjoy activities and communicate in ways that suited them. The home had systems for gathering feedback and checking the quality and safety of care.
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw warm and respectful interactions. Staff knew people well and understood their preferences, interests and ways of communicating.
“Staff treated people with kindness and respect. People enjoyed pleasant interactions with staff which demonstrated people felt comfortable in their presence.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans gave staff detailed guidance about people's needs, routines, histories and risks. Staff adapted support when people's mental health or other needs changed.
“Staff found inventive and personalised ways to meet people's needs.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in their care and could make choices about meals, activities, holidays and their daily routines. Staff helped people build skills and remain as independent as possible.
“People were supported and encouraged to maintain their independence and learn new skills.” from the report
Strong safety arrangements
Staff assessed risks, reviewed incidents and checked medicines. Staffing levels were sufficient, including one-to-one support where people needed it.
“People were protected from risks relating to their health, medicines, nutrition and behaviours.” from the report
Open management
The manager and senior staff were described as approachable. People, relatives and professionals were asked for feedback, and the home used audits and action plans to improve care.
“There were effective systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the care and support being delivered.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01Which people currently have one-to-one support, and how do you make sure this support is available when needed?
- 02What is the current position on the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications that were awaiting approval at the inspection?
- 03How would you support my relative to communicate choices if they find verbal communication difficult?
- 04How would you manage meals if my relative had a choking risk but chose not to have food prepared in the recommended way?
- 05How are people's views and feedback used to change care, activities or the home environment?
This was an unannounced inspection of all five key questions and the overall service; inspectors could not carry out a formal SOFI observation because people were in and out of the home. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 January 2017 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 Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 February 2011.
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
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76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,020 to £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.