CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Sesame
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Sesame was inspected but not rated; infection controls were mostly assured, but one admission record did not show how infection risks were assessed.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 2 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic, rather than the full range of care provided.
Inspectors were assured about visitors, social distancing, personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning, infection policies and managing outbreaks. Staff had received extra infection control training and there were enough supplies of protective equipment.
Inspectors were only somewhat assured that admissions were safe. One person's transition plan did not clearly show how the risks of catching or spreading COVID-19 had been considered. After the inspection, the provider said it had introduced a specific infection risk assessment for future admissions.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall rating or a rated judgement for safe care.
Protective equipment
There were enough supplies of protective equipment, and staff were seen using it properly.
“There were enough stocks of PPE available and staff were seen to be wearing PPE appropriately.” from the report
Visitor safety
The home had a clear visitor process covering protective equipment and social distancing. Visitors were given instructions when they arrived.
“There was a clear system in place for visitors to ensure they followed the current guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing.” from the report
Cleaning and infection procedures
Cleaning had been increased for frequently touched areas. Infection control policies and risk assessments had also been reviewed and updated.
“Cleaning schedules and procedures had been enhanced to include more frequent cleaning of touch points such as handrails and light switches.” from the report
Staff testing and training
Staff had extra infection control and protective equipment training. They took part in regular whole-home COVID-19 testing and followed isolation guidance when needed.
“Staff had received additional training in infection prevention and control and the use of PPE including masks, gloves, aprons and hand sanitiser.” from the report
Admission risk record
needs fixingOne person's transition plan did not clearly show what had been considered to reduce the risk of catching or spreading infection. The provider said it introduced a specific risk assessment for future admissions after the inspection.
“However, it was not clear from this person's transition plan, what factors had been considered to mitigate any risks from catching and/or spreading infection to either this person or the other people living at the service.” from the report
- 01How is the new COVID-19 infection risk assessment used for every future admission or placement?
- 02How do you record the risks of infection to the person moving in and to other people living at the home?
- 03What current procedures do visitors follow for protective equipment and social distancing?
- 04How often are frequently touched areas such as handrails and light switches cleaned?
- 05What COVID-19 testing and isolation arrangements currently apply to staff and residents?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the other areas of care were not assessed and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 February 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, June 2019
Rated Good; Sesame provided safe, kind and personalised care, with clear improvements since the previous inspection.
The inspection took place on 20 May 2019. One inspector reviewed care records, medicines, staffing, training, complaints and quality checks. They spoke with people, staff, relatives and professionals, and observed how staff supported people.
The home supported three people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Inspectors found that people were safe, treated with respect and supported to make choices. Staff understood people's communication needs and helped them take part in activities and community life.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection in April 2018 had rated the home Requires Improvement. Inspectors found that the problems identified then had been addressed.
Previous concerns addressed
Inspectors found that serious concerns identified at the previous inspection had been acted on. This included removing punitive practices and improving staffing and risk management.
“The punitive practices identified at the previous inspection in April 2018 were removed immediately following that inspection.” from the report
Personalised communication
Support plans used simple language, pictures and signs. Staff knew how to communicate with people and support their choices.
“Support plans were written in simple language supported with pictures and signs.” from the report
Skilled and supported staff
Staff had received training, supervision and support to improve their skills. The report says staff were motivated to provide good care.
“Staff were motivated to develop their skills and knowledge to ensure people were supported to the best of their ability.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home had audits and management checks to monitor safety and quality. It also sought views from people, relatives, professionals and staff.
“Quality assurance processes and management systems used to assess and monitor the safety and quality of the service were robust.” from the report
Community involvement
People were supported to take part in activities outside the home, use local facilities and develop friendships.
“People were supported to develop friendships outside of the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure the improvements since the April 2018 inspection are maintained?
- 02How will you communicate with my relative if they use sounds, pictures, signs or objects rather than speech?
- 03How will you support my relative to build independence and develop their own skills?
- 04What community activities and friendships could my relative take part in?
- 05How will you involve me in reviews, risk decisions and any best-interests decisions?
This was a planned inspection of the whole care home, covering all five CQC questions and both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 June 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 Sesame
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 December 2010.
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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21 live-in carers within about an hour of Torbay
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 £1,400 a week. 17 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She looked after my mum, who can be incredibly challenging, so well and so gently, and we always felt confident that my mum was getting the best care available.”
“She was not phased by anything, she was adaptable, kind & gave us complete confidence to go away & not worry about a thing!”
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.