CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 43 Sedlescombe Road South
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including the use of protective equipment, testing, visiting arrangements and outbreak planning. They also noted a broken kitchen floor tile that could be a trip hazard.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection controls, but noted a broken kitchen tile needing priority repair.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 25 February 2022. It looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 were affecting the home.
Inspectors were assured that the home was using protective equipment safely, arranging testing, managing visitors, and keeping its infection control policy up to date. People were supported to see relatives, keep in touch by video or telephone, and continue their usual routines.
The report found some maintenance problems. Paint was peeling in the laundry room, kitchen counters were worn from extra cleaning, and a broken kitchen floor tile could cause a trip. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Keeping in touch
People were supported to have visits from relatives and to stay in contact by video calls, telephone or email when visits were not possible.
“Some people's relatives were unable to visit, for example if they lived at a distance, were elderly or had ill health and staff supported people to stay in touch through video calls.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing protective equipment, testing, social distancing, admissions and infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Support for usual routines
People were supported to go out safely and continue their normal routines.
“People were supported to go out safely and, where possible, were encouraged to wear a mask and to wash their hands when they returned home.” from the report
Health support
The home had support from its GP surgery, and health professionals visited on the inspection day for people's annual health reviews.
“Throughout the pandemic the home had strong support from their GP surgery.” from the report
Broken kitchen floor tile
needs fixingA broken tile could be a trip hazard. The manager said it would be dealt with as a priority.
“There was a broken kitchen floor tile that could be an infection control risk and a trip hazard.” from the report
Maintenance and worn surfaces
minorInspectors found peeling paint in the laundry room and kitchen counters that had faded because of additional cleaning. The manager said these areas were on a list for attention.
“There was paint peeling from the walls in the laundry room, the counters in the kitchen were faded from the additional cleaning” from the report
- 01Has the broken kitchen floor tile been repaired, and have the laundry room walls and kitchen counters been dealt with?
- 02How will you support my relative to visit family if infection control restrictions change?
- 03What would happen if there were an infection outbreak and some people could not isolate easily?
- 04How do you maintain consistent staffing when agency staff are needed?
- 05How will you keep families updated if they cannot visit in person?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 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.
What inspectors found, March 2019
43 Sedlescombe Road South was rated Outstanding overall, with especially strong support for individual needs and leadership.
This was the first comprehensive, announced inspection since the home was registered. Inspectors observed care, spoke with staff and the registered manager, reviewed care plans and staff records, and checked accidents, medicines, quality checks and other documents.
The home supports up to six adults with learning disabilities, including people with autism, complex needs and limited verbal communication. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines arrangements, appropriate risk plans and staff with relevant training. People were treated with kindness, supported to make choices and helped to build independence.
Responsive care and leadership were rated Outstanding. Inspectors highlighted careful planning for new admissions, detailed communication support, personalised activities and strong work with families and other professionals. Safe, Effective and Caring were rated Good, meaning inspectors found these areas met the expected standard.
Careful transitions
New admissions were planned slowly and carefully, with families and professionals involved. Social stories and detailed transition plans helped people understand what would happen.
“The assessment, transition and discharge process was robust and the manager and staff worked well with the person his family and other professionals to ensure all went smoothly.” from the report
Reducing distress
Staff used consistent approaches and early support to reduce anxiety and escalation. For one person, inspectors found no use of PRN medicine or restraint during the first year at the home.
“In the year they had been at the service there had been no use of PRN medicine and no restraints necessary.” from the report
Strong oversight
The home had detailed audits, staff meetings and maintenance checks. The provider and managers kept a close view of care and safety.
“There were robust quality monitoring processes to check quality and safety.” from the report
Staff vacancies
minorThere were some vacancies, although the report says the hours were covered by regular agency staff. Ask how this affects consistency for people who rely on familiar staff.
“There were some staff vacancies and these hours were covered by the use of regular agency staff.” from the report
- 01How many staff vacancies are there now, and how often are regular agency staff used?
- 02What changes have been made after analysing incidents that may show someone is unhappy or frustrated?
- 03What actions from the external positive behaviour support audit have been completed, and what remains outstanding?
- 04How will you support my relative to communicate concerns if they do not use speech?
- 05How are restrictions on food, television, DVDs or other activities reviewed and kept as least restrictive as possible?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, but the report gives conflicting years for the visit dates, listing January 2019 at the start and January 2018 in the detailed sections. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 March 2019 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 43 Sedlescombe Road South
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- January 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 January 2018.
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
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19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful 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.