CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Seccombe Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People said they felt safe. Inspectors found risks were assessed, staffing levels were sufficient on the inspection days, medicines were managed safely and infection control arrangements were effective.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care assessments were detailed and regularly reviewed. Staff had induction, training and supervision, and people received support with food, drinks, healthcare and decisions about their care.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as caring, kind and respectful. Inspectors saw staff supporting privacy, dignity, independence and involvement in care decisions.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Care and activities were tailored closely to people's interests, needs and abilities. The home supported people to achieve personal wishes and provided meaningful activities, including for people living with dementia.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a clear management structure, approachable leaders and effective checks on care quality and safety. The home worked with families, staff and outside professionals to make improvements.
What inspectors found, June 2023
Seccombe Court is rated Good overall, with Outstanding personalised activities and responsive care.
Inspectors visited on 6 and 19 April 2023 without giving advance notice. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. They also observed care and checked care records, medicines records, recruitment files, complaints and management records.
They found people were safe, supported by enough staff and given medicines as prescribed. Care was personalised and respectful. People were involved in decisions, supported to eat and drink, and helped to access healthcare.
The strongest area was how the home responded to people's individual interests and wishes. Inspectors saw thoughtful activities, including trips, animal visits and special experiences. The home was rated Good overall, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led, and Outstanding for Responsive.
Personalised activities
The home went beyond routine activities and worked out what people wanted to do. Staff arranged individual experiences and group outings that helped people enjoy themselves and connect with others.
“The provider facilitated a 'wish list' where people could discuss their wishes and staff did all they could to grant those wishes.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. Inspectors saw polite, respectful interactions and support for privacy, dignity and independence.
“We observed staff talking to people in a polite and respectful manner.” from the report
Safe care and medicines
Inspectors found risk checks, staffing arrangements, recruitment checks and medicines processes were in place. People received medicines as prescribed.
“People received their medicines as prescribed and the service had safe medicine storage systems in place.” from the report
Good involvement and communication
People and relatives were involved in care planning and could give feedback. Staff shared important information through handovers and update meetings.
“People and their relatives were involved in the planning of ongoing care.” from the report
Vegetarian food choices
minorThe home had identified that the menu did not offer enough vegetarian options. At the inspection, the review of these options was still in progress.
“lack of vegetarian food options on the menu had been identified as an issue.” from the report
- 01What vegetarian meals and alternatives are now available, following the menu review?
- 02How do you maintain staffing levels when there is sickness or holiday absence?
- 03How are activities chosen for people living with dementia and for people who do not want to join group activities?
- 04How does the key worker system keep relatives updated about changes in care?
- 05How do you check that people's care plans continue to reflect their routines, preferences and changing needs?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control, with the home rated on Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 June 2023 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, December 2020
Gracewell of Adderbury was inspected but not rated; inspectors found enough staff, better falls management and stronger leadership.
This was a targeted inspection on 3 December 2020. It followed concerns about staffing, falls and how the home was managed. Inspectors visited, spoke with people, relatives and staff, and reviewed care and management records.
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Call bells were answered promptly, falls risks had been assessed, and steps had been taken to reduce falls. The home was clean, with suitable infection control measures and personal protective equipment available.
Inspectors found that the registered manager had made significant improvements during their six months in post. People, relatives and staff said the home was well managed, and quality checks were being used to drive improvement.
The home was inspected but not rated at this visit. The previous overall rating was Good, published on 24 May 2018. This inspection did not review the full service, so it did not change the earlier ratings.
Staffing
Inspectors found that staffing levels were enough to meet people's needs. People said call bells were answered promptly and staff did not appear rushed.
“Records showed planned staffing levels were met.” from the report
Falls management
Falls risks had been identified and plans were in place. The home used equipment, investigated falls and trained staff in falls prevention and management.
“Records also showed the number of falls had significantly reduce.” from the report
Infection control
The home was clean and staff had access to personal protective equipment. Inspectors were assured about testing, distancing, admissions and outbreak arrangements.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Leadership
Inspectors found that the manager had made significant improvements after six months in post. People, relatives and staff described the home as well managed and the manager as supportive.
“There was a clear management and staffing structure which aided in the smooth running of the service.” from the report
Quality checks
The provider used audits of care plans and medicine records to identify and make improvements.
“The provider had robust quality assurance system which were used to drive improvement within the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are current staffing levels checked when staff call in sick at short notice?
- 02What has happened to the number of falls since the inspection, and how are new falls investigated?
- 03Are falls risk assessments and management plans reviewed after every fall?
- 04What do the current audits of care plans and medicine records show, and what action has followed?
- 05How have the improvements made by the manager during the six months before the inspection been maintained?
This was a targeted inspection of specific concerns about staffing, falls and management, with infection control also checked; it did not assess the full five key questions and did not change the previous ratings. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 December 2020 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 Seccombe Court
2 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- May 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 21 November 2017.
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
38 live-in carers within about an hour of Oxfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“We can all fully relax around Nyarai and she feels like part of our family, which is no mean feat!”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.