CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Wheatlands
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found enough staff, regular risk assessments and safe medicines management.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were suitably trained and people's changing needs were reflected in their care plans. People had support with eating, drinking and healthcare, including help from other professionals when needed.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to express their views and make decisions, including through visual aids and easy-read care plans.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's individual needs, wishes, histories and aspirations. People had access to education, community activities and support to try new experiences.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had approachable management, regular audits and checks, and systems for using feedback to improve the service. Staff had supervision and opportunities to discuss their practice.
What inspectors found, January 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with no breaches identified.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 3 January 2019. One inspector visited, with a dental inspector also looking at oral health support. Inspectors observed care, spoke with relatives and staff, and checked care records, medicines, training and management records.
The home supported nine younger people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory impairments or autistic spectrum disorder. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable training and regular risk checks. People were treated kindly and supported to make choices, stay independent and take part in activities.
Care was described as individual and regularly reviewed with people and their relatives. People had access to healthcare, and staff worked with other professionals when needed. The home had systems for checking quality, gathering feedback and making improvements.
The home was rated Good in all five areas and Good overall. This was the same overall rating as at the previous inspection, published on 5 July 2016.
Kind and reassuring staff
Inspectors saw staff respond calmly and compassionately when a person became distressed. Relatives also said people were happy and safe.
“We observed caring and positive interactions between people and staff.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's needs, wishes, life histories and aspirations. A key worker system helped staff build strong relationships with people.
“Care plans were individualised and people's needs and wishes were considered and planned for.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in meal planning, care decisions and activities. Staff supported people to be as independent as possible.
“People were encouraged to be active in decision making processes.” from the report
Safe care
Inspectors found enough staff, regular risk reviews and medicines given safely and on time. Staff understood safeguarding responsibilities.
“People received their medicines on time and in a safe way.” from the report
Active management checks
The home used audits, spot checks, feedback and staff meetings to monitor quality and identify improvements.
“There were systems in place to effectively monitor the quality and safety of the service.” from the report
Sexual preferences not yet routinely explored
minorThe manager said the home did not specifically ask people about their sexual preferences at the time of the inspection. Further work was planned to include this in future.
“The registered manager told us the service did not at present specifically ask people about their sexual preferences but would be doing further work with the providers to include this in the future.” from the report
- 01How do you now ask about and support each person's sexual preferences and other diverse needs?
- 02How will you make sure my relative's care plan stays up to date as their needs change?
- 03How are people involved in choosing activities, meals and daily routines?
- 04How do you make sure medicines are given safely and on time, including medicines given when needed?
- 05How do you involve relatives in care plan reviews and act on their feedback?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC areas, including the premises, care provided, medicines and a detailed review of oral health support. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 January 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 Wheatlands
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 21 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
57 live-in carers within about an hour of Shropshire
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 £960 to £1,230 a week. 52 can care for a couple. 9 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.