CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Victoria House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. There were enough staff, suitable risk assessments, safe medicines systems and checks on the premises.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and people were supported with healthy food, healthcare and communication. Inspectors noted that the building was dated and that shared bathrooms were not ideal.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff supported independence, privacy, equality and people's involvement in decisions.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were detailed and person-centred. People were supported with their communication, activities, family relationships and complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found an open and positive culture, clear staff roles and systems for checking quality and learning from incidents. People, relatives and staff were asked for their views.
What inspectors found, June 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, but the home was dated and some facilities were not suitable.
This was an unannounced inspection on 29 and 30 May 2022. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, staff and relatives, observed care, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home supported five people with learning disabilities and autism. Inspectors rated all five areas Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. They found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable risk assessments, kind care and support for people's choices, communication, health, relationships and activities.
Inspectors also found that the building was dated. Bedrooms did not have private bathrooms, shared facilities did not provide the same privacy and convenience, and some decoration was worn. A redecoration programme had started, and the provider was looking for alternative accommodation.
Safe staffing
Inspectors saw enough staff to meet people's needs, including one-to-one support where it was required. Recruitment checks were also in place.
“There were enough staff working at the service to keep people safe.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff supported privacy, independence and personal choices.
“People were treated with respect and dignity and their independence was promoted.” from the report
Personalised communication
Staff used different communication methods to suit each person, including Makaton, picture cards, symbols and objects.
“The provider used various methods to meet people's communication needs, depending on the particular needs of each individual.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People took part in activities such as bowling, café and shop visits, holidays and cinema trips. They were also supported to maintain family relationships.
“People were supported to take part in a variety of social and leisure activities.” from the report
Medicines review
The home had reduced prescribed psychotropic medicines for each person by at least half over the previous 18 months, according to the report.
“The prescribed amounts had been reduced by at least 50% for each person over the past 18 months” from the report
Dated accommodation
needs fixingThe premises were not always suitable for people's needs. Bedrooms had no private bathrooms, and people shared bathroom and toilet facilities.
“The premises were dated and were not always suitable to meet people's needs.” from the report
Worn decoration
minorInspectors saw stained carpets, peeling paint and scuffed woodwork. A plan to redecorate the home had started during the inspection.
“The décor of the service was tired and worn throughout.” from the report
- 01Has the planned redecoration been completed, and what work remains?
- 02What progress has been made in finding alternative accommodation with more suitable bathroom and toilet facilities?
- 03How would you support my relative's specific communication needs, including any use of Makaton, pictures, symbols or objects?
- 04How is my relative's need for one-to-one support assessed and kept under review?
- 05How do you monitor the effects of any reduction in psychotropic medicines and review whether medicines remain appropriate?
This was an unannounced first inspection of the newly registered service covering all five CQC questions and infection prevention and control arrangements. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 June 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.
Every inspection of Victoria House
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2022Goodcurrent ratingup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2019Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 February 2021.
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 Redbridge
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 £1,250 a week. 75 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Sidonia is a first class live-in carer whose dedication and thoughtfulness made her stay a happy experience.”
“Charity would take Nan on holidays day trips and shopping adventures”
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.