CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Unicorn House
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 suitable staff, safe recruitment, safe medicines systems and risk assessments covering areas such as community access, eating and drinking, skin care and health conditions.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care was based on assessments of people's needs and choices. Staff had relevant training and supervision, and people were supported with food, health appointments and contact with health professionals.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. They and their relatives were involved in care planning, and staff supported people to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's individual needs, preferences and communication methods. People were supported with relationships, community activities, daily living skills and complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had a clear management structure and regular checks on medicines, safety, care plans, staff records and infection control. People and staff were asked for their views, and the provider acted on feedback.
What inspectors found, November 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some home improvements still planned.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 25 October 2023. One inspector spoke with four people living at the home, two relatives, three staff members and the registered manager. They also checked care records, medicines records, recruitment, training and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable care plans, good support with health needs and activities, and respectful care.
The home was clean and infection control was being followed. Inspectors noted that some decoration and furniture needed attention, but there was a refurbishment plan and some work had already been completed.
This was the first inspection since the service was newly registered in 2022. The previous provider's rating was Good, published in 2017.
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions and have control over their daily lives. Staff encouraged people to do what they could for themselves.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found that staff respected people's privacy, dignity and independence. People and relatives spoke positively about the support they received.
“People's privacy, dignity and independence were respected and promoted.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to maintain relationships, follow their interests and take part in activities in the home and community.
“People were supported to maintain relationships, follow their interests, and take part in activities that were relevant to them.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored securely and staff administering them had been trained and assessed as competent. Monthly checks were used to look for gaps in records.
“People were receiving their medicines as prescribed by health care professionals.” from the report
Decoration and furniture
minorInspectors said the decoration needed attention and some furniture needed replacing. A refurbishment plan was in place, with some bathrooms and fire doors already improved and further work planned.
“The decor of the home required attention and some furniture needed to be replaced.” from the report
- 01What work remains on the refurbishment plan, including the first-floor bathrooms, radiator covers and communal areas?
- 02How would you assess and manage my relative's risks, particularly if they go out independently or need support in the community?
- 03How will my relative and our family be involved in creating and reviewing the care plan?
- 04What activities would be available that match my relative's interests, culture and communication needs?
- 05How do you check that medicines are given correctly and that records remain complete?
This was the first unannounced inspection of the newly registered service and covered all five CQC questions; the previous provider's Good rating was published in 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 November 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.
Every inspection of Unicorn House
4 rated inspections over 9 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- November 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2015Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 October 2022.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Croydon
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 £1,230 a week. 77 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She cared for my mum with Alzheimer's with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude”
“Terry has been of invaluable help to our family while working as a part-time live-in carer for our mother for approximately 6 months”
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.