CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Sevenoaks
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found good arrangements for visiting, testing, cleaning, social distancing and managing outbreaks. They were only somewhat assured about PPE use because gloves and aprons were being overused.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
The Orchard Trust - Sevenoaks was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements, but PPE use needed improvement.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 15 February 2022. Inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether staffing pressures linked to COVID-19 affected care.
Inspectors found safe visiting arrangements, testing, cleaning, social distancing and outbreak planning. The home worked with relatives and health professionals to reduce infection risks.
Inspectors were only somewhat assured that PPE was being used safely. Staff were overusing gloves and aprons, and their practice had not kept pace with updated guidance. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Safe visiting
The home offered several ways for relatives to visit and carried out checks before visitors entered.
“A variety of safe visiting options was available and thorough checks were completed before visitors entered the service.” from the report
Outbreak planning
The home used separate areas, known as zoning and cohorting, to reduce the risk of infection spreading during outbreaks.
“The service acted proactively to manage and limit outbreaks, including ongoing zoning and cohorting of Larch and Rowan, to reduce infection transmission risks within the service.” from the report
Testing and cleaning
Inspectors found testing followed national guidance and that deep and surface cleaning programmes were in place.
“Testing was carried out in-line with national guidance.” from the report
Keeping relatives informed
The provider kept relatives updated when national requirements and its policies changed.
“The provider kept relatives informed of changes to national requirements and subsequent changes to their polices.” from the report
PPE practice
needs fixingStaff practice had not kept pace with updated policy and national guidance. Inspectors found gloves and aprons were being overused, which could increase the risk of infection spreading.
“Staff use of PPE had not kept pace with updates to provider policy and national guidance. We found gloves and aprons were being overused which may increase risk of transmission of infection.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to staff use of gloves and aprons since the inspection?
- 02How do you check that staff follow the latest PPE policy and national guidance?
- 03How are relatives currently able to visit, including as essential care givers?
- 04How are outbreaks managed between the Larch and Rowan areas?
- 05What arrangements are in place if staffing pressures affect infection control or care?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not assess the other four key questions or give an overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 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, February 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and personalised support, with improvements since the previous Requires Improvement rating.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 30 and 31 January 2019. One inspector observed care and activities, spoke with relatives, staff and professionals, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment files, training, complaints and audits.
The home supported 10 people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Inspectors found that people were safe, treated with kindness and supported to make choices, build independence and take part in community life. Staff understood people's communication needs and worked with health and social care professionals.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home had improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection in November 2017, including its medicines management and governance systems.
Personalised communication
Staff knew how people communicated through verbal and non-verbal cues. They gave people time to respond and adjusted their approach when needed.
“Staff were skilled in supporting people to communicate and make day to day decisions.” from the report
Respect and independence
People were involved in everyday tasks and supported to do things for themselves. Staff protected privacy and dignity during personal care.
“People were treated with dignity and respect and their independence was promoted.” from the report
Community life
People were supported to take part in activities, meet others and maintain relationships. Accessible minibuses helped people reach the community and longer-distance activities.
“They are out in the community meeting new people” from the report
Learning from incidents
Managers reviewed incidents and changed support plans or the environment when needed. The report said incidents between people had reduced significantly since the previous inspection.
“A significant reduction in incidents between people living at the service had occurred since our previous inspection.” from the report
Support for staff
Staff received induction, training, supervision and opportunities to gain qualifications. Staff said managers were supportive and described good team spirit.
“Staff were positive about the support and learning opportunities they received.” from the report
Stair safety
needs fixingThe stairs in Rowan presented unavoidable risks, particularly as people's health needs changed. The provider was exploring a longer-term accommodation solution, although immediate safety measures were in place.
“The provider was exploring options to make significant improvements to the accommodation at Sevenoaks.” from the report
Medicines recording
minorPeople received their medicines safely, but there had been minor recording errors. The home had introduced an extra audit to reduce these errors.
“An additional audit had been introduced to address minor recording errors.” from the report
Size of the home
minorThe home was larger than current best practice guidance, with space for up to 11 people. Inspectors said the building design and layout reduced the negative impact of its size.
“This is larger than current best practice guidance.” from the report
Management change
needs fixingA new manager was due to start shortly after the inspection. The provider planned for them to apply to become registered manager after completing probation.
“A new manager was due to start in February 2019.” from the report
- 01What has happened since the inspection to address the risks from the stairs in Rowan?
- 02How are medicines records checked now, and have the minor recording errors stopped?
- 03Who is currently managing the home, and has the planned manager become the registered manager?
- 04How are people and families involved in updating support plans after incidents or changes in behaviour?
- 05How will the updated governance framework monitor safety, care quality and regulatory requirements?
This was an unannounced, planned inspection of the overall service, covering all five CQC questions and following up improvements required after the previous Requires Improvement inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 February 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 Sevenoaks
3 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
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 £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.