CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Oaks
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including through testing, protective equipment, hygiene, social distancing and outbreak planning.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated or covered in detail in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not rated or covered in detail in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not rated or covered in detail in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not rated or covered in detail in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
The Oaks: inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control during the coronavirus response.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 March 2021. Inspectors checked the home’s infection prevention and control arrangements because of coronavirus outbreaks in care homes.
The home supported people to keep in touch with family and friends by telephone and video calls. In-person visits were arranged in ways intended to reduce infection risks, including visits in the gardens.
Inspectors were assured about visitors, shielding, social distancing, admissions, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning, outbreak management and the infection control policy. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report is not an overall judgement of the quality of care.
Family contact
People were supported to keep in touch with family and friends by telephone and video calls. In-person visits were arranged to reduce infection risks.
“People were well supported by staff to have telephone and video call contact with their family and friends.” from the report
Individual support during lockdown
The home considered how isolation and lockdown could affect people’s anxiety and behaviour. People had individual guidance to help staff reduce triggers and pressures.
“People had up to date and individual Covid-19 behavioural support guidance on how staff could reduce triggers and pressures associated with social distancing and lock down.” from the report
Infection control leadership
The home had infection prevention and control champions. Managers also undertook infection control training focused on outbreak management.
“The registered manager had created two Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Champions to ensure staff were upskilled in IPC measures and to bring best practice to the home.” from the report
Infection control arrangements
Inspectors were assured about the home’s arrangements for visitors, admissions, protective equipment, testing, hygiene and managing outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are the infection prevention and control arrangements described in this report being maintained now?
- 02How do staff use each person’s behavioural support guidance when infection control measures or restrictions cause anxiety?
- 03How can families visit in person, and what arrangements are available if garden visits are not suitable?
- 04How often are staff and residents tested, and how is personal protective equipment used safely?
- 05How would the home manage an infection outbreak and keep families informed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices under the Safe question; the service was inspected but not rated overall and the other questions were not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 March 2021 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 2019
The Oaks was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some planned improvements still to check.
This was a planned comprehensive inspection on 12 February 2019. Inspectors reviewed care and medicine records, staff files, audits, activity records, complaints and other documents. They observed care, a meal and medicines being given. They also spoke with staff, a relative and health and social care professionals.
The home supported six people with learning disabilities and/or autism and complex needs. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with kindness and supported by staff who understood their communication, health and personal needs. Medicines were managed safely, staffing levels were sufficient and care plans were detailed and personalised.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection in 2016. Inspectors noted plans to increase activities and introduce electronic care planning, which they intended to review at the next inspection.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm and compassionate interactions. Staff understood people's individual ways of communicating and what helped them feel calm.
“People were treated with dignity, patience and kindness.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicine records were accurate, and staff used clear checks and person-specific guidance. The home had also worked with health professionals to reduce some medicines where possible.
“Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of as required.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's routines, communication, health needs and preferences. People were supported to make choices and take part in activities at home and in the community.
“People received personalised care that was tailored to meet their individual needs, preferences and choices.” from the report
Consistent staff team
Inspectors found sufficient staff, including support for people who needed one-to-one help. Relatives and professionals said staff consistency helped people achieve good outcomes.
“The service was supported by a small committed staff group, some of whom had worked for the service for up to 20 years.” from the report
Good oversight
The manager and provider used audits, feedback and action plans to monitor quality and make improvements. Staff meetings and surveys were also used to gather views.
“A range of audits had been developed to measure and monitor the service overall.” from the report
Planned improvements to check
minorThe manager wanted to increase activities inside and outside the home. The provider was also introducing electronic care planning, so inspectors planned to check whether these changes became established.
“We will review these improvements at our next inspection to ensure the system is embedded over time into the practice of the home” from the report
- 01What progress has been made with increasing activities inside and outside the home?
- 02Has the electronic care planning system been introduced, and how do you make sure records stay up to date?
- 03How will you support my relative to communicate choices and express concerns if they do not communicate verbally?
- 04How do you monitor whether medicines remain necessary and whether any reductions are safe?
- 05How do you make sure staffing remains consistent and that one-to-one support is available when needed?
This was a planned comprehensive inspection covering the premises and care provided, with ratings given for all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 March 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 Oaks
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 December 2010.
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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28 live-in carers within about an hour of West Sussex
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 £1,170 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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.