CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at West Lancashire Short Break Services
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, October 2017
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally effective and responsive care, with safe, kind and well-managed support.
Inspectors visited on 23 and 29 August 2017. The first visit was unannounced. They spoke with guests, relatives, staff and a health professional. They also observed care, toured the building and checked care, staffing, training and management records.
The home provided short-term accommodation for up to six adults with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities or older people. Inspectors found detailed care plans, skilled staff, safe medicines systems and strong links with health professionals. Guests were supported with dignity and offered activities based on their interests, both in the home and in the community.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Effective and Responsive were Outstanding. Safe, Caring and Well-led were Good. This means inspectors found a very high standard of care, while three areas were judged good rather than outstanding.
Highly trained staff
The home had extensive training for complex health and support needs. Staff received regular supervision and development.
“There was an extensive training programme in place that supported and underpinned the excellent knowledge and skills of the staff team.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans recorded people's communication, routines, preferences, risks and support needs. Guests and families were involved in reviews.
“All guests had a person centred care plan in place.” from the report
Meaningful activities
Guests could take part in activities they enjoyed, including community trips, work, day centres and sensory activities.
“There was an exceptional activities programme in place for all guests during their stay at the home that supported and fulfilled and meaningful day.” from the report
Safe care and medicines
Inspectors found comprehensive risk assessments, suitable staffing and complete medicines records. Staff demonstrated safe medicines practice.
“We saw effective systems in place for the storage, administration and recording of medicines that supported the individual needs of guests staying in the home.” from the report
Good communication
The home kept in contact with families before stays and when needs changed. It also worked closely with health professionals.
“The communication is excellent and we have had some fantastic support from the manager and the support staff.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and update my relative's care plan before each short stay?
- 02What specialist training do the staff supporting my relative have for their particular health and communication needs?
- 03How will you support my relative to choose and take part in activities during their stay?
- 04How will you keep me informed if my relative's health, behaviour or care needs change?
- 05How are medicines, including any medicines given through a PEG tube, checked and recorded?
This inspection looked at all five quality areas, including observations of care, discussions with guests, relatives, staff and a professional, and checks of care, staffing, training and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 October 2017 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of West Lancashire Short Break Services
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- October 2017Outstandingcurrent ratingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at West Lancashire Short Break Services →
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 January 2012.
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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85 live-in carers within about an hour of Lancashire
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. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
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.