CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Oaklands
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing infections, using PPE safely, accessing testing, managing visitors and supporting social distancing. They were also assured that the infection prevention and control policy was up to date.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control arrangements during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 9 December 2020. It checked infection prevention and control because of coronavirus outbreaks in care homes.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, testing, protective equipment, social distancing, cleaning and infection outbreaks safely. All 18 people using the service had been supported to have Covid-19 tests, and staff were tested regularly.
The home had individual plans to help people keep in contact with relatives. Respite stays had been stopped temporarily during the pandemic. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a full rating of the quality of care.
Testing
The home supported everyone using the service to have a Covid-19 test and tested staff regularly.
“The service had successfully found ways to safely support all 18 people to be tested for Covid-19. All staff were regularly tested.” from the report
Controlled visiting
Essential visitors had checks on arrival, hand sanitiser and PPE requirements.
“Visiting arrangements were controlled and regularly reviewed. The service had a system in place for essential visitors” from the report
Family contact
People had individual plans intended to maintain safe social contact with their relatives.
“People had individual visitor/family contact plans as part of their care plan to make sure their social contact needs continued to be met as far as safely possible.” from the report
Use of PPE
Staff used PPE in line with guidance, with a separate area for putting it on and removing it. Used PPE was disposed of safely.
“Staff wore the necessary PPE, in line with best practice guidance, and had a designated area for putting it on and taking it off.” from the report
Information for people
The home displayed information about handwashing, social distancing and PPE.
“Detailed information was displayed around the home to remind people how to wash their hands effectively, the importance of social distancing, and why people wear PPE.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your visiting arrangements changed since this inspection?
- 02How do you currently test people using the service and staff for Covid-19 or other infections?
- 03How do you keep people who test positive apart from those who test negative?
- 04How do you make sure each person's contact plan continues to meet their family and social needs?
- 05Has the respite service resumed, and if not, what arrangements are available instead?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas of care were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 December 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, March 2018
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally caring, well-led support, with the other areas rated Good.
This was an announced, comprehensive inspection on 7 December 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, staff, managers and a healthcare professional. They reviewed care records, staff recruitment files, training, rotas, complaints and quality checks.
The home supported up to 20 people with mental health needs, learning disabilities or autism. Inspectors found safe medicines management, enough skilled staff, good training, suitable care planning and effective health support. People were treated with dignity, involved in decisions and supported to be independent.
The caring and well-led areas were rated Outstanding. Safe, effective and responsive care were rated Good. This means the overall service was judged exceptionally good, although inspectors still identified a small area where management knowledge could improve.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found strong relationships between people and staff. People were treated with dignity and staff were described as kind, caring and compassionate.
“People had excellent, meaningful relationships with the staff.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in decisions about their support and encouraged to do more for themselves. Staff used practical and creative ways to support independence.
“Independence was widely encouraged and innovative methods were used to communicate with people as well as to support people with remaining independent.” from the report
Safe medicines practice
The home had improved its medicines systems since the previous inspection. Records, storage, 'as needed' medicines and staff competency checks were found to be safe.
“People's medicines were managed appropriately and safely.” from the report
Meaningful lives
People were supported to pursue personal goals, take part in activities and stay connected with family, friends and the wider community.
“There was a clear emphasis on ensuring all people led active and meaningful lives” from the report
Strong leadership
Inspectors found committed managers and staff, with people involved in meetings, recruitment and decisions about improving the service.
“The service was very well-led.” from the report
Accessible information knowledge
minorThe manager was not yet fully aware of the Accessible Information Standard. Inspectors said its principles were already being used, including easy-read information and picture-based communication.
“The registered manager was not currently fully aware of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS); however they were already implementing its principles throughout the service.” from the report
- 01How will you make sure information about my relative's care is provided in a format they can understand?
- 02How will you support my relative to make choices and remain as independent as possible?
- 03How are 'as needed' medicines managed, and how will you record whether they were given or refused?
- 04If my relative uses respite care, how will you provide continuity and limit the effect of unfamiliar people?
- 05How will my relative be involved in reviewing their support plan and setting personal goals?
This was an announced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions and both the accommodation and care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 March 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of The Oaklands
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- February 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 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.
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
75 live-in carers within about an hour of Nottinghamshire
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 63 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Ernest is an amazing professional carer who delivers care from the heart.”
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.