CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Oakes
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was following safe infection prevention and control procedures. This included PPE, testing, social distancing, cleaning, visitor arrangements and an up-to-date infection control policy.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated or reported on in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This question was not rated or reported on in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not rated or reported on in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This question was not rated or reported on in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control and support for people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The inspection took place on 5 August 2020. It was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inspectors found good practice. The home had increased cleaning, hand sanitising stations, personal protective equipment, social distancing measures and screening arrangements for visitors.
People were supported to keep meaningful activities, see relatives safely and access the community within government guidance. Staff also received training, testing and support.
The home was inspected but not rated overall. Safe was also marked inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide ratings for the other four questions.
Personalised support
The home adapted PPE to make it more acceptable and meaningful for people with learning disabilities.
“The service was creative in its approach to supporting people with learning disabilities to wear PPE that had been personalised to reflect their personalities and interests.” from the report
Safe visiting
The home provided a designated visiting area outdoors, with booking and screening arrangements to reduce infection risks.
“A booking system and screening checks were in place to protect people from the risk of cross contamination.” from the report
Meaningful activities
People continued to take part in daily activities, use the community, enjoy outdoor activities and meet friends and relatives within the guidance in place at the time.
“People continued to be supported to live meaningful lives day to day.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visits arranged now, and what screening or infection control measures are currently used?
- 02How do you support people who find wearing PPE difficult or distressing?
- 03How do people currently access the community, take part in activities and meet friends or relatives?
- 04How are people and staff supported with infection testing and shielding arrangements?
- 05When was the home last assessed on caring, effective, responsive and well-led care?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the Covid-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated overall and the other four questions were not reported on. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 September 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.
What inspectors found, August 2019
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptional personalised care, strong leadership and safe practice, with some staff refresher training not up to date.
This was an unannounced planned inspection. The inspector visited on 7 and 10 June 2019 and spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and professionals. Records about care, medicines, staffing and management were also checked.
The home supported up to seven people with learning disabilities and autism. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with exceptional kindness and supported to make choices, take considered risks and live active lives in the community.
The overall rating was Outstanding. Safe and Effective were rated Good. Caring, Responsive and Well-led were rated Outstanding. Caring, Responsive and Well-led had improved since the previous Good rating, published in January 2017.
Inspectors found safe medicines systems, enough staff, detailed care plans and strong quality checks. They recommended that the provider make sure all staff refresher training stays up to date.
Personalised lives
People were supported to choose how they spent their time and to follow their own interests, beliefs and lifestyle choices. Staff helped people try new experiences and take part in the local community.
“People were placed at the heart of the service and received highly personalised and flexible care that respected their individuality and provided choice and control.” from the report
Kind relationships
Staff knew people very well and understood their communication, feelings and preferences. Inspectors saw warm, respectful interactions and evidence that people were treated as individuals.
“Staff demonstrated an exceptionally caring nature and a passion for providing high quality care which was clearly visible throughout the service.” from the report
Safe support
Risk assessments were detailed and staff supported people to make considered choices without unnecessary restrictions. Medicines were administered by trained staff and records checked.
“There were no gaps on the MAR sheets which indicated that people had received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Strong leadership
The management team was visible and involved. Quality checks, staff feedback and people's views were used to identify and make improvements.
“Regular checks and ongoing monitoring was completed by the management team and the provider to ensure robust oversight of the service at all levels.” from the report
Refresher training
needs fixingNot all staff refresher training was up to date. The inspectors recommended that the provider review its arrangements so staff knowledge and skills remain current.
“Records showed that not all refresher training for staff was up to date.” from the report
- 01Which staff refresher training was not up to date at the inspection, and has all of it now been completed?
- 02How will you make sure staff understand my relative's communication needs, emotional triggers and positive behaviour support plan?
- 03How will my relative be involved in planning their care, choosing activities and setting personal goals?
- 04How do you check that medicines are given correctly and that records remain complete?
- 05How do you maintain continuity of staff and provide enough support for community activities, holidays or hospital stays?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, with visits on 7 and 10 June and follow-up telephone calls to relatives on 12 June 2019. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 August 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.
Every inspection of The Oakes
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- January 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 26 January 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.
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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
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 £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
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.