Belford House

Belford House provides residential care for up to 32 older people who are frail or living with dementia, accommodating 29 residents during this inspection. Located across two floors with lift access, the home was previously asked to make improvements regarding water safety and medication protocols. The latest Care Quality Commission inspection found that these past issues have been fully resolved, and the service continues to provide a welcoming, well-managed environment where residents receive consistent and attentive support from a dedicated staff team.

Risks to residents are properly assessed and managed, and the home maintains a clean, fresh environment with sufficient safety checks on equipment and a stable team of staff who know the residents well. While medication processes are generally safe, inspectors did find a few missing staff signatures on daily medicine administration records on one evening, which the manager addressed immediately.

Staff keep up to date with good practice guidance and use thoughtful equipment like unobtrusive laser sensors in bedrooms to monitor movement and reduce falls. The premises are spacious and comfortable, though inspectors noted that the environment is only suited for those in the early stages of dementia, as there is a lack of advanced visual signage around the building.

Residents consistently report that staff treat them with genuine kindness, respect, and compassion, making them feel valued as individuals. Care plans include detailed personal life histories and preferences, ensuring that staff understand residents' hobbies, communication needs, and daily choices.

Care is tailored to individual needs and regularly reviewed as residents' health changes, with plenty of opportunities for social stimulation both inside the home and out in the community. The service also uniquely involves local teenagers as junior assistants to help serve meals and interact with residents, which brings great joy and intergenerational contact to daily life.

The home operates with an open, person-centred culture that focuses on continuous improvement and strong communication with residents, families, and external professionals. Concerns and complaints are listened to and used effectively to enhance the overall experience of living at the service.