CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Willowgarth
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from avoidable harm. Medicines, staffing, recruitment, infection control and safeguarding arrangements were found to be safe, although some risk guidance needed more detail.
- Effective?
- Good
- No rating or detailed findings for Effective were given in this inspection report.
- Caring?
- Good
- No rating or detailed findings for Caring were given in this inspection report.
- Responsive?
- Good
- No rating or detailed findings for Responsive were given in this inspection report.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers had systems to monitor quality and staff felt supported and listened to. The provider acted on areas where inspectors identified a need for better practice.
What inspectors found, July 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found people were safe and the home was well-led, but risk guidance for possible self-harm needed more detail.
This was an unannounced inspection. One inspector and an Expert by Experience visited on 4 July 2022, with inspection activity continuing until 8 July. They spoke with people, relatives, staff, managers and visiting professionals, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe was rated Good and Well-led was rated Good. People and relatives said they were happy with the care and felt safe. Inspectors found medicines were managed safely, there were enough staff, recruitment checks were completed and infection control arrangements were in place.
Inspectors found that some risk assessments and care plans needed more detail. In particular, staff needed clearer guidance about managing the environment and people's access to belongings when someone expressed a wish to self-harm. The provider had plans to improve this, and inspectors made a recommendation.
Safe medicines
Inspectors found medicines were received, stored, given and returned safely. People received them on time and were supported to manage their own medicines where possible.
“People received their medicines on time and were proactively supported to manage their own medicines where they could.” from the report
Staffing and recruitment
There were enough staff to meet people's needs, and recruitment files showed that the required checks had been completed.
“There were enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
People felt safe
People and relatives told inspectors they felt safe. Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse.
“Relatives felt their loved ones were safe, as did the people using the service.” from the report
Open management
Staff said managers listened to their ideas and supported them in their roles. Systems were in place to monitor quality and drive improvement.
“Staff felt well supported in their roles and felt management listened and respected their views.” from the report
Working with professionals
The home worked with health and social care professionals and sought advice when further support was needed.
“The service worked closely with other agencies and professionals.” from the report
Risk guidance for self-harm
needs fixingSome care plans and risk assessments did not contain enough detail. Staff needed clearer guidance about managing the environment and access to belongings when someone expressed a wish to self-harm.
“The provider needed to ensure more detailed guidance, reflecting best practice, was in place for staff to make sure people's environment and access to belongings was managed appropriately when they expressed a wish to self-harm.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to risk assessments and care plans since the inspection?
- 02What detailed guidance do staff now follow when someone may self-harm, including how the person's environment and belongings are managed?
- 03How do managers check that the new risk guidance is being followed in practice?
- 04How are accidents and incidents reviewed, and how are lessons shared with staff?
- 05What is the home's current approach to supporting people to manage their own medicines safely?
This inspection focused on Safe and Well-led; the report did not give ratings or detailed findings for Effective, Caring or Responsive. This explanation was written from the published report of 30 July 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, March 2022
Willowgarth was inspected but not rated; infection control was mostly reassuring, but staff testing records were not always complete.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 24 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors were assured about most infection control arrangements. The home was clean, used protective equipment safely, supported handwashing and had a visiting pod to help people see visitors safely.
The main shortfall was staff testing. The home could not always show that staff had received a test result before starting a shift. The provider agreed to improve its system and was signposted to further guidance.
This visit was inspected but not rated. The Safe question was also inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide a new overall quality rating.
Safe visiting
The home was facilitating visits in line with government guidance and had invested in a visiting pod to reduce infection risks.
“The service had invested in a visiting pod to facilitate visitors during the pandemic whilst reducing the risk of spreading infection.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean. Building changes were intended to make cleaning more effective, although renovation work was still continuing.
“The service was clean and had invested in adaptions to the building which allowed for more effective cleaning.” from the report
PPE and handwashing support
People were supported with education about using protective equipment and washing their hands safely.
“The service had empowered people and provided education and support regarding safe and good practice for use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and handwashing.” from the report
Staff testing records
needs fixingThe home could not always confirm that staff had received a COVID-19 test result before starting a shift. The provider agreed to change its system so missing results could be identified.
“The provider could not always assure that all staff had tested before a shift commenced.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to make sure every staff member's test result is received and recorded before they start a shift?
- 02How do you check for missing staff test results now, and who follows this up?
- 03What renovation work was still ongoing after the inspection, and has it now been completed?
- 04How are visits arranged now, and is the visiting pod still available if infection risks increase?
- 05How do you make sure staff continue to use PPE and follow handwashing guidance?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 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.
Every inspection of Willowgarth
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 March 2011.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
16 live-in carers within about an hour of East Riding of Yorkshire
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 £1,030 to £1,420 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“She was always 'just present enough': attentive, available, kind and engaging, but without ever over-stepping any boundary”
“What truly stands out is how mindful and attentive she is to all of my medical needs, always going above and beyond to ensure I’m comfortable and well cared for.”
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.