CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Old Hall
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, November 2022
The Old Hall was rated Outstanding overall, with safe, effective and kind care, and exceptional responsiveness and leadership.
Inspectors visited the home on 31 March 2022. They reviewed care, medicine and management records, observed interactions, spoke with staff and contacted relatives and professionals. They also checked infection prevention and control.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective and Caring. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, detailed risk assessments, suitable training and care that respected people's choices, dignity and independence.
The home was rated Outstanding for Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found highly personalised support, creative ways to maintain people's interests and relationships, strong community involvement, and exceptional leadership focused on improving people's lives.
The overall rating remained Outstanding. Caring changed from Outstanding to Good, while Responsive and Well-led remained Outstanding and Safe and Effective remained Good.
Personalised support
Care plans described people's histories, interests and preferences in detail. Staff used this knowledge to provide support in each person's preferred way.
“Care was extremely person centred and promoted people's dignity, privacy, and human rights.” from the report
Community and independence
People were supported to take part in work, volunteering, fundraising, hobbies and local activities. The home also helped people develop new skills and move on to supported living.
“The registered manager and the staff team were passionate about supporting people to be part of their local community.” from the report
Strong leadership
Inspectors found clear accountability, committed staff and detailed quality checks. Information systems helped managers identify concerns and respond to changes in people's wellbeing.
“The provider had excellent oversight of the safety and quality of the service.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored, monitored and given safely. Staff training and checks were completed before staff administered medicines without supervision.
“Medication administration records (MAR) were fully completed and people received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Communication
The home adapted communication to each person, using photographs, communication aids, signs, gestures and detailed communication plans.
“Staff understood the importance of working innovatively and adapting communication styles to ensure all people using the service were listened to” from the report
Size of the home
minorThe home is larger than current best practice guidance for this type of service. Inspectors said its design and location helped reduce any negative impact on people.
“This is larger than current best practice guidance.” from the report
- 01How will you make sure the home's size does not affect my relative's sense of home, privacy or independence?
- 02How will my relative's communication needs be assessed and explained to all staff who support them?
- 03What opportunities would my relative have for work, volunteering, hobbies and activities in the local community?
- 04How would you involve our family in developing and reviewing risk assessments and care plans?
- 05How do you monitor people's experience of care following the change in the Caring rating from Outstanding to Good?
This inspection considered all five CQC key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe; the previous ratings were also compared with the last inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 November 2022 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 2020
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally caring, responsive and well-led support, with safe and effective care rated Good.
Inspectors visited on 19 and 20 September 2019. They spoke with relatives, staff and other professionals, and reviewed care plans, medicine records, training information and quality checks. They also looked at the building and the care provided.
People were protected from harm and received safe medicines and enough support. Staff understood people's needs, supported positive risk-taking and acted after incidents. People were helped to make choices, stay active, eat and drink well, and use health services.
The strongest findings were about kindness, personal choice and support that was tailored to each person. People were supported to build independence, keep relationships, join community activities and communicate in their preferred ways. The home was rated Outstanding overall. Safe and Effective were Good, while Caring, Responsive and Well-led were Outstanding.
Choice and control
People were supported to make decisions and take positive risks. Staff aimed to use the least restrictive support and promote independence.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests” from the report
Personalised support
Care records reflected people's preferences and wishes. People helped set goals, review support and celebrate progress.
“People had person centred support records in place which detailed how they would like to be supported, including their preferences and wishes.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicine records were complete and staff were trained and checked before administering medicines without supervision.
“Medicines were stored, monitored and administered safely. MAR (medication administration records) were fully completed and people received their prescribed medicines.” from the report
Communication and community life
People were supported to communicate through pictures, gestures and other preferred methods. They also took part in work placements, activities and community life.
“People were always actively encouraged to communicate using their preferred methods.” from the report
Open leadership
Inspectors found strong monitoring, regular feedback and a culture where staff could raise issues and help improve the service.
“There was a positive, open culture in the home, where staff were able to feedback.” from the report
Larger than current guidance
minorThe building was larger than current best practice guidance for this type of service. Inspectors said the design and surrounding area helped reduce any negative impact on people.
“The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties.” from the report
A room needed deep cleaning
minorThe home was generally clean, but the staff sleep-in room needed a deep clean. The report says this was dealt with immediately.
“Overall the home was clean, however, we noted the staff sleep in room would benefit from a deep clean.” from the report
- 01How has the change in registered manager been managed, and who is now responsible for day-to-day care?
- 02How would you assess and support my relative's individual risks, including any distress, anxiety or need for physical intervention?
- 03How would my relative communicate choices about food, activities, personal care and daily routines?
- 04How would you support my relative to build independence, join community activities or take up work opportunities?
- 05How would you involve my family in reviews, feedback, complaints and decisions about care?
This was a planned inspection covering all five questions, the premises and the care provided; the previous overall rating was Good and Caring, Responsive and Well-led improved to Outstanding. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 March 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.
Every inspection of The Old Hall
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- November 2022Outstandingcurrent ratingstayed OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- March 2020Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- January 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 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
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What to check when you visit
9 live-in carers within about an hour of Lincolnshire
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.
8 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
“Magda was always positive and proactive about trying new things to keep dad busy. She also introduced new ideas for keeping dad healthy.”
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.