Acacia Lodge Care Home

This report summarises the findings of a recent inspection at Acacia Lodge Care Home. The inspection focused on assessing the overall quality of care provided, with particular attention paid to safety, effectiveness, caring practices, responsiveness to residents' needs, and the quality of leadership. The aim is to provide families with a clear understanding of the home's performance in these key areas, highlighting both strengths and areas for development.

Regarding the safety of the service, residents are protected from avoidable harm, with robust risk assessments and up-to-date safety records. Medicines are managed safely, and infection control measures are effective. While staff recruitment processes include essential checks, risk assessments for new staff could be more thorough. In terms of how effective the care is, residents' needs and preferences are well understood and supported by attentive staff. The home operates within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, ensuring residents' autonomy and best interests are prioritised.

In terms of caring practices, staff are consistently kind, respectful, and show empathy towards residents, fostering a sense of comfort and making people feel special. Residents are actively involved in their care planning and encouraged towards independence. While most care is delivered with dignity, one instance of undignified support during mealtimes was noted and addressed. When it comes to responsiveness, the home ensures residents have maximum choice and control over their lives, with staff supporting them in the least restrictive way possible. The management actively seeks to re-establish community links for the benefit of residents.

Finally, regarding how well-led the service is, there is a positive and open culture with clear leadership from the registered manager and senior team. Systems are in place to monitor quality and safety, and the provider understands its legal responsibilities for reporting incidents. The registered manager is responsive to feedback and takes action to implement improvements. Staff feel well-supported and work effectively as a team, and the home collaborates well with external health and social care organisations.