CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Tidings
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected by safeguarding procedures, risk assessments, suitable staffing and recruitment checks. Medicines and infection control were also found to be managed safely.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care was based on people's assessed and changing needs. Staff were trained and worked well with health professionals, while people were supported with food, healthcare, independence and legal decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused visit. The report says the previous ratings were used to calculate the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This key question was not inspected during this focused visit. The report says the previous ratings were used to calculate the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found visible and approachable management, an open culture and systems for audits and improvement. The home was described as person-centred and inclusive.
What inspectors found, May 2023
Tidings is rated Good; inspectors found personalised, safe care, with plans to involve people more in quality checks.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 18 and 19 April 2023. One inspector visited the home, an Expert by Experience telephoned relatives, and inspectors spoke with people, staff, relatives and visiting professionals. They also looked at care plans, medicines records, recruitment files, audits and safety records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective and Well-led. Inspectors found enough suitably checked staff, safe medicines support, good infection control, personalised care and strong links with health professionals. People were supported to make choices, build independence and take part in community activities.
Caring and Responsive were not inspected during this visit. Their previous ratings were used when calculating the overall rating. The overall rating stayed Good, the same as at the previous inspection published in May 2018.
Personalised support
Care was built around people's individual needs, wishes and routines. Inspectors found that this helped people become more independent and follow their interests.
“People received very personalised care which was built around their needs and wishes.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make everyday choices and to take control of their lives. Risk assessments were used to support independence rather than unnecessarily restrict it.
“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
Safe staffing and medicines
There were enough staff, recruitment checks were completed and staff received medicines training and competency checks. Records showed medicines were administered and monitored safely.
“People received their medicines safely from staff who had received specific training and had their competency assessed.” from the report
Health support
Staff worked closely with health professionals and responded to changes in people's physical, emotional and mental health. Hospital passports and appointment support helped staff provide consistent care.
“People received good quality care to meet their healthcare needs because staff had excellent relationships with other professionals.” from the report
Welcoming culture
Inspectors found a calm, homely and inclusive atmosphere. People and relatives said staff and managers were approachable and welcoming.
“There was a family type atmosphere where people felt included and 'at home.'” from the report
Quality checks still developing
minorNew auditing systems were being established. The home planned to involve staff and people more in checking care and facilities, so ask how this has progressed.
“As new auditing systems were becoming embedded in the home there were plans for staff and people to become more involved in these.” from the report
Community opportunities
minorSome community resources used before the pandemic had closed and had not reopened. Staff were looking for new opportunities, so families may want to ask what is now available.
“Due to the pandemic some resources previously used by people had closed and not reopened.” from the report
- 01How are people and staff now involved in the new auditing and quality-checking systems?
- 02What community groups, activities or other opportunities are currently available after some previous resources closed?
- 03How will you support my relative to make choices and build independence in their daily life?
- 04How will you support my relative with medicines, including if they want to manage some medicines themselves?
- 05How will you work with health professionals if my relative's physical or mental health changes?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led only; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings were used in the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 May 2023 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 2018
Tidings is rated Good overall; inspectors found especially personalised, flexible support, with Responsive rated Outstanding.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 11 April 2018. One inspector spoke with nine people living at the home, two visitors and five staff. The inspector also observed care, viewed the premises and checked care plans, medicines records and other records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were all rated Good. Responsive improved from Good to Outstanding. Inspectors found people were safe, supported to make choices and treated with kindness.
Inspectors found highly personalised support for people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and complex health needs. People were supported to keep their independence, follow their interests and receive detailed end of life care that reflected their wishes.
The previous inspection also rated the home Good. At this inspection, there was no evidence of serious risks or concerns, and the overall Good rating continued.
Personalised care
Staff knew people as individuals, including their history, preferences and communication needs. Care plans gave detailed guidance so support could be tailored to each person.
“They know all about their social history so that they know them as a person, not just what their care needs are.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make everyday choices and take part in activities with sensible arrangements to reduce risk. Some people were helped to go out alone and learn new skills.
“Risk assessments were seen as a dynamic tool, which enabled people to take part in activities of their choosing when they wished to.” from the report
Kind relationships
Inspectors saw a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. Staff knew people well and supported their dignity, privacy and emotional needs.
“A very consistent management and staff team knew people extremely well and displayed genuine warmth and affection for the people they cared for.” from the report
End of life care
The home worked with hospice professionals and made detailed plans around people's wishes, beliefs, comfort and communication. Staff also made sure people were not left alone when approaching the end of life.
“The care planning and advance treatment plans that have been devised with service users, their friends and family and their healthcare professionals reflect preference, personality, fears and aspirations.” from the report
Learning and improvement
Managers and staff used meetings, training and observed practice to reflect on care and improve their work. The home also worked closely with outside professionals.
“The improvement agenda was embedded into the culture of the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's particular mental health, learning disability or physical health needs?
- 02How would you help my relative keep their independence while managing any risks?
- 03What activities and opportunities would be available to match my relative's interests and goals?
- 04How would you involve my relative and our family in care planning and decisions?
- 05If my relative's needs changed, including at the end of life, how would their care be adapted?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, based on observations, conversations, written feedback and a selection of records. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 May 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.
Every inspection of Tidings
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 18 March 2014.
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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76 live-in carers within about two hours of Somerset
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 £1,370 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.