[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#F0EDEE 65%|#F9F6F5 65%” background_color_gradient_start=”#F0EDEE” background_color_gradient_start_position=”65%” background_color_gradient_end=”#F9F6F5″ background_color_gradient_end_position=”0%” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”6vw|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0vw|||” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.17.0″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ background_color_gradient_direction=”30deg” background_image=”https:\/\/www.briarleacarehome.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Untitled-design-3.png” custom_padding=”|||” filter_sepia=”30%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.17.0″ height=”20vw” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”10vw||10vw|” custom_padding_tablet=”|10%||10%||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” padding_tablet=”|10%||10%||true” padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding__hover=”|||” padding_phone=”|10%||10%||true”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”Oswald|500||on|||||” header_font_size=”6vw” header_letter_spacing=”0.05em” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#898ea2″ header_5_font_size=”26px” header_5_letter_spacing=”10px” header_5_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_6_text_color=”#d39b86″ header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”right” custom_margin=”|10vw||-20vw” custom_margin_tablet=”|0%||0%||true” custom_margin_phone=”|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”2%” header_font_size_tablet=”70px” header_font_size_phone=”40px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”” header_line_height_phone=”1.5em” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”” header_5_font_size_phone=”18px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” admin_label=”About Me” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(240,237,238,0) 75%|#F9F6F5 75%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(240,237,238,0)” background_color_gradient_start_position=”75%” background_color_gradient_end=”#F9F6F5″ background_color_gradient_end_position=”0%” background_image=”https:\/\/www.briarleacarehome.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/divider.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”80px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0vw|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_intensity_slide=”2%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”|10%||10%||true” custom_padding_phone=”|||” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” padding_phone=”|||” padding_tablet=”|10%||10%||true” padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_4_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
If so, you may have come across an organisation called\u00a0CQC. They\u2019re known for their\u00a0reports on care homes.<\/p>\n
On this webpage, you can learn more about who CQC are, and why their reports should be considered when you’re looking for a care home.<\/p>\n
\u00a0
You can also find out\u00a0what CQC thinks of Briarlea.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”FAQ” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f8f8f8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”80px||80px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”|||on|||||” header_4_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”So, who are CQC?” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
CQC stands for the\u00a0Care Quality Commission. They are the government\u2019s\u00a0official regulators\u00a0for health and social care in England and Wales.<\/p>\n
Their important role is to ensure people receive quality care. And that fundamental standards of safety are being met by care providers. In brief, they hold care homes – like ours – to account for the services we deliver. Before a care home can open as a business, they must first apply for a license from CQC. This is exactly what we did, here at Briarlea.<\/p>\n
Before granting this license, CQC will assess whether the applicant home will be able to provide good care for its residents. Only after being satisfied by this condition does CQC give the green light.<\/p>\n
CQC will then visit the home at regular intervals. This is to ensure that the business is running smoothly. CQC want to check the care home still provides a good service for everyone in its care. The CQC inspector will\u00a0grade\u00a0the quality of the home and\u00a0write up their findings in a report. This report and rating are publicly listed on CQC\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
To create transparency, care homes are obliged to show a link to their CQC rating, or their report, on their own website. Care directories often insist a home\u2019s CQC rating is visible too.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”How are Complaints handled?” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
As the care regulator, CQC is also the body which people can contact to raise concerns about the standards of care in a home. So, if you have witnessed an incident – which you feel cannot be resolved by the care home\u2019s manager – you can escalate your concerns to CQC. They will duly investigate.<\/p>\n
This same avenue is open to staff. If anyone working in a home observes a safeguarding issue, one which has compromised the safety of a resident, the home is\u00a0obliged to report this to CQC. Incidents can range from mistakes on medication to more serious matters.<\/p>\n
CQC will log what has happened. And depending on the nature of the breach, they may investigate further. They could also carry out an inspection of the business to ensure safety remains high.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What happens during an inspection?” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
CQC will inspect a good care home typically every 2-3 years. But if they have concerns that a home isn\u2019t providing quality care to its residents, they may hasten their visit. An inspector will tend to stay at the care home for 1 or 2 business days. Over that time, they will observe the goings on at the home, speak to carers, residents, residents\u2019 families and the care home\u2019s management team.<\/p>\n
Their goal is to get a well-rounded view of the care provided.\u00a0They want to understand what the home is\u00a0doing well; and equally where it\u00a0could improve. An inspector will also look through resident care plans, medication charts, safety manuals and other key pieces of paperwork. This is to ensure the home has\u00a0adequate systems\u00a0in place to run effectively.<\/p>\n
As you can imagine, CQC want to make sure homes provide the highest standards of care. Inspections are therefore\u00a0rigorous but fair.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What is a CQC Report” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Once they have gathered their findings, a CQC inspector will write their observations into a report. This is then published on CQC\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
The report is divided into 5 key questions, against which the home is assessed. These are\u2026<\/p>\n
The report discusses how far the home has reached these milestones. They tend to cite examples of where the home excels and where it can do better.<\/p>\n
Based on these criteria, the home is then given an\u00a0overall rating. The home is either deemed to be\u2026<\/p>\n
To give you an idea, in 2018,\u00a02% of care homes\u00a0across the country were judged to be outstanding.\u00a077% were rated as good. 19% required improvement while the remainder were deemed inadequate.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What did CQC think of Briarlea?” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Briarlea was visited by CQC in 2019. After the inspection,\u00a0CQC graded Briarlea as a good care home.
We were thrilled. What\u2019s more the rating was consistent with our previous \u2018Good\u2019 rating that we achieved back in 2016.<\/p>\n
Here are a few nuggets from our latest report that praised the care we provide:<\/p>\n
\u201cStaff understood what mattered to people and supported people to achieve the best health and well-being possible\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were sufficient staff to care for people and staff promptly supported people when they wanted assistance\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople had opportunities to do things which they enjoyed, and which responded to their individual needs\u201d.<\/p>\n
In addition to meeting residents\u2019 needs, our service was also deemed\u00a0safe, effective, well led and caring.<\/p>\n
Want to learn more?\u00a0 To read our whole report, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” admin_label=”About Me” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_image=”https:\/\/www.briarleacarehome.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/divider.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”80px||80px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0vw|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_intensity_slide=”2%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n When looking for care, a CQC report can act as a good indicator of a home\u2019s quality. In a sea of information, they are helpful guides. Nevertheless, they shouldn\u2019t be your only tool when conducting your search.<\/p>\n Undoubtedly, a CQC report offers great insight into a home. But like all inspections, they can only offer a\u00a0glimpse\u00a0of what a place is really like. And since the report, a care home may have improved or indeed fallen in quality.<\/p>\n So, it\u2019s important to\u00a0see the home for yourself before making any final decisions. To get a feel of whether it\u2019s the right place for you. At the end of the day,\u00a0trust your instincts. Moreover, don\u2019t be swayed by a rating until you read\u00a0their whole report.<\/p>\n A home may score fantastically in several areas – like providing a caring, responsive service \u2013 but then let itself down in another category. This could drag down the final grade a home receives. So, we recommend you read the fine print.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”35px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We also encourage you to look out for any\u00a0updates\u00a0on the report that have since been published. If a home has performed poorly in an area which has been rectified \u2013 for instance, paperwork – once corrected, CQC may publish an update. This will say that the issues outlined in the report have been resolved.<\/p>\n A small thing perhaps. But if you\u2019re stuck between a choice of homes, it can make the world of difference. As care homes, we are all in the business of providing the best quality care for our residents. We therefore welcome the role of CQC. Their inspections offer a great way to demonstrate how we\u2019re doing a good job; as well as seeing where we can become even better.<\/p>\n Naturally, we were delighted with our latest report. It provided an accurate reflection on the great service we offer here at Briarlea. We\u2019re working hard to keep our standards high.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a care home and want to learn more about Briarlea, please\u00a0call us today on 01386 293 200.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”2000ms” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]OUR TAKEAWAY<\/h2>\n
View our CQC Report here<\/h2>\n