CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Sahara Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection controls, while signposting resources for further development.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 15 March 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. Nine people were living in the home.
Inspectors were assured that the home used PPE safely, followed social distancing and shielding rules, carried out testing, and kept the premises clean. They also found that staff had regular infection-control and PPE training.
People could keep in touch with family and friends by phone, video messaging and visits. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall rating of the home.
Clean premises and PPE
The home was clean and well maintained. PPE and hand sanitiser were available for visitors.
“The premises were clean and well maintained. Hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment (PPE) were available at the entrance of the home.” from the report
Testing arrangements
The provider had arrangements for regular COVID-19 testing of people living in the home and staff, following government guidance.
“The provider had appropriate arrangements to test people and staff for COVID-19 and was following government guidance on testing.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had regular training in infection control and using PPE.
“All staff had received regular training on infection control and the use of PPE.” from the report
Communication support
The provider used different ways to communicate with people and created activities to help people during the pandemic.
“The provider understood the communication needs of people. For example, the provider used various forms of communication with people such as using objects of reference.” from the report
Further development suggested
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its infection-control approach. The report does not give details of a specific failure.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What infection-control resources did the home use after inspectors signposted them, and what changes were made?
- 02How often are staff trained in infection control and PPE now?
- 03How are COVID-19 or other infection tests arranged for people living in the home and staff?
- 04How can family visits, phone calls and video messaging be arranged now?
- 05What information can you provide about care areas that were not covered by this targeted inspection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care questions were not covered. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 March 2021 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, May 2018
Sahara Lodge was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
Inspectors visited without notice on 19 and 20 December 2017 and 24 January 2018. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and an advocate. They observed care and reviewed care plans, risk records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home supported nine adults with learning disabilities and autism. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, safe medicines systems and suitable risk plans. Staff had relevant training and people had access to healthcare, personalised activities and communication aids.
People were treated with dignity and involved in choices about their care, food, activities and goals. Inspectors found strong relationships between people and staff. The home also had detailed end of life plans and worked with other services when people's needs changed.
The overall rating was Good, and all five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection in July 2015 had also rated the service Good overall.
Safe care
Inspectors found clear safeguarding arrangements, suitable risk plans, enough staff and safe medicines systems.
“People had risk assessments and risk management plans to mitigate the risks they may face.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's preferences, communication needs and personal goals. Staff supported people to build independence and achieve aspirations.
“Care plans were very detailed, pictorial and contained individual aspirations.” from the report
Communication and choice
The home used pictures, objects, body language and other methods to help people understand information and make choices.
“Staff used a variety of communication aids to help people's understanding and to make choices.” from the report
Activities and inclusion
People took part in activities linked to their interests, independence, culture and religion. The home also supported links with the local community.
“There was a wide variety of activities offered in accordance with people's wishes.” from the report
Listening and improvement
People and relatives could give feedback through meetings and surveys. The provider used audits and action plans to look for improvements.
“There were various quality audits which were used to identify areas for improvement.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How many staff are usually on duty for the main house and for the person living in the flat?
- 02How will you communicate with my relative and help them make choices if they cannot communicate verbally?
- 03How are my relative's care plan, risk assessments and personal goals reviewed with them?
- 04What activities are currently available that match my relative's interests, cultural needs and wish for independence?
- 05How are medicines checked and how will you tell us about any changes or concerns?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, including the premises and care provided, and all five quality areas were rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 May 2018 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 Sahara Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014Inspected but not rated
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 January 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.
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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Newham
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 £1,190 a week. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She is a safe pair of hands and her years of experience certainly shine through.”
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