CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Thorndene
Not yet rated: the CQC has not published a rated inspection for this home, which is usual for a new registration.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 21 February 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19-related staffing pressures affected the service.
Inspectors found that the home had supplies of personal protective equipment, used it safely and had access to testing. A COVID-19 champion helped staff, residents and relatives access testing, information and protective equipment.
The home was facilitating visits in line with government guidance. Inspectors were assured about infection control, including hygiene, social distancing, admissions, testing and managing possible outbreaks. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide an overall quality rating.
COVID-19 leadership
A named COVID-19 champion monitored testing, training and information, and helped staff, residents and relatives access protective equipment.
“There was a COVID-19 champion at the service. They ensured staff, people and relatives had access to testing, personal protective equipment (PPE) and information.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had effective arrangements for PPE, testing, hygiene, admissions and managing infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Visiting
Visits were being facilitated in line with the government guidance in force at the time.
“The service was facilitating visiting in line with current government guidance.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your infection prevention and control arrangements changed since the inspection on 21 February 2022?
- 02How do you now manage staffing pressures linked to COVID-19, and how could these affect residents' care?
- 03How do you help residents understand infection risks and choose whether to use PPE?
- 04What are the current visiting arrangements for relatives and other professionals?
- 05How do you keep your infection prevention and control policy up to date and prepare for a possible outbreak?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 March 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, May 2019
Thorndene was rated Good overall, with Outstanding responsive care; inspectors found safe, kind and highly personalised support.
This was an unannounced inspection on 06 February 2019. One inspector and an Expert by Experience observed care, checked the home, spoke with people, staff and professionals, and reviewed care, medicines, incident and quality records.
The home supported 17 people with severe healthcare needs, learning disabilities, autism and behaviour that challenges. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with warmth and respect, and supported by staff who understood their individual needs.
Responsive care was rated Outstanding. People were supported to make choices, build independence, take part in activities, maintain relationships and achieve personal goals. The other four areas were rated Good, and the overall rating improved from Good at the previous inspection in August 2016.
Personalised care
Each person had an individual care plan, and people helped shape their care and goals. Staff adapted their approach to people's communication, interests and changing needs.
“Each person had a unique care plan which detailed their care needs and had been created with the person.” from the report
Respectful relationships
Staff knew people very well and treated them with kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“People were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to take part in activities they chose, use community facilities and develop new skills. The home helped people work towards important personal goals.
“Staff were outstanding in the way they supported people to achieve life changing goals.” from the report
Safety and staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs safely and promptly. Staff understood individual risks, safeguarding duties and medicines procedures.
“There were sufficient staff to support people safely.” from the report
Open management
Managers were visible and approachable. Staff felt supported, and quality checks and incident reviews were used to identify learning and improvements.
“The service used thorough and robust quality monitoring systems.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and support my relative's specific healthcare needs, including any complex interventions?
- 02How would staff understand and respond to my relative's communication if they could not express themselves verbally?
- 03What activities, community outings and independence goals would be available for my relative?
- 04How would you involve my relative, family and advocates in care reviews and best-interests decisions?
- 05How do you make sure staffing levels and staff training remain suitable for people's changing needs?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led, with ratings given for all five areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 May 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 Thorndene
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- August 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 November 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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.