The Care Quality Commission
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  • Care home

Red Oaks Care Community

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

116 Clipstone Road West, Forest Town, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 0HL (01623) 644195

Provided and run by:
Red Oaks Care Home Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See old profile

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Date of assessment: 3 August 2026. Red Oaks Care Community is a care home providing support including nursing care to people over the age of 18 including people with dementia. At the time of the assessment, the service was supporting 30 people with their personal care needs.

Red Oaks Care Community was last rated requires improvement (published 13 April 2026). The assessment was carried out to follow up on enforcement action and improvement we asked the provider to take to address these concerns. The assessment found the provider was no longer in breach of regulation relating to safe care and treatment, premises and equipment and governance.

Environmental risks were now appropriately identified and addressed in a timely manner, and infection prevention and control practices had significantly improved. Audits and environmental checks were robust and identified issues and risks effectively. We observed a clean, well-maintained environment, which had appropriate measures in place to support people’s safety, comfort and wellbeing.

Staff interactions with people were consistently caring, respectful and responsive. People told us they felt safe and well cared for, we observed positive relationships between staff and those living at the home as well as their relatives. Improvements had been made to the environment throughout the home, including upstairs areas, which were now clean, free from unpleasant odours and provided a more comfortable living space that promoted people’s dignity and wellbeing. There was evidence of increased opportunities for people to participate in meaningful engagement and activities. Care records had improved, with monitoring documentation and care plans completed accurately and consistently. This helped ensure people’s physical health needs were identified, monitored and responded to appropriately.

Governance systems had strengthened considerably since the previous inspection. Audits and quality assurance processes were now effective in identifying areas for improvement. Minor development and improvement areas were identified within medicines administration and recording in which the management team immediately reviewed during the assessment. Leaders demonstrated a proactive approach, taking timely action to address concerns, monitor performance and embed sustainable improvements across the service.

During an assessment under our new approach

Dates of onsite assessment: 15 December 2025 and 16 December 2025.

The inspection was completed due to concerns around the quality of care at the home, prompted in part by notification of an incident following which a person using the service died. This incident is subject to further investigation by CQC as to whether any regulatory action should be taken. As a result, this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. The service provides residential and nursing care for older people, including those living with dementia and people with complex health needs. At the time of our visit, 25 people were living at the home. The provider was under voluntary suspension with the local authority, and building works were ongoing to expand the service.

We identified significant concerns that could place people at risk of avoidable harm. The provider was in breach of 4 regulations relating to dignity and respect, safe care and treatment, premises and equipment and good governance.

In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward.

We have also asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Environmental risks were not consistently identified or addressed promptly, and infection prevention and control practices were poor. Audits and checks failed to detect hazards such as an unsecured cable, uncovered radiators, broken equipment and widespread cleanliness issues. These failings compromised people’s safety and wellbeing.

While we observed caring and responsive interactions from staff and noted some people felt safe and well cared for, these positive experiences were not consistent across the service. People living upstairs described an unpleasant environment with strong odours, limited meaningful activity and poor environmental upkeep, which did not support dignity or wellbeing. Records showed gaps in monitoring and care planning, including food and fluid charts, repositioning and stoma care, meaning staff were not always responding promptly or accurately to people’s physical needs.

Governance systems were ineffective. Audits did not identify serious risks, and medication oversight was weak, with expired competencies and incomplete medicine protocols. Leadership was reactive rather than proactive, addressing issues raised by external bodies but failing to learn and embed improvements across the service.

We found gaps in information and safeguarding. Policies displayed in communal areas were incomplete, and staff told us they would need to search online to find out how to report abuse. This meant people were not always given clear information about how to raise concerns.

The provider has begun taking action to address some concerns raised during the inspection.

Although staff were generally kind and familiar with people, significant concerns remain in relation to safety, infection prevention and control and governance. Improvements were needed to ensure people received care that is safe, dignified and person-centred.

17 August 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Red Oaks Care Community is a care home that provides personal care for up to 40 people in one adapted building. It is registered to provide a service to older people who may be living with dementia or physical disability. At the time of the inspection 35 people lived at the home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Improvement had been made to ensure medicines were administered safely. However, further improvement was required in the management and recording of medicine room and fridge temperatures. Staff did not always follow the providers infection control policy.

Regular safety checks were in place to ensure the premises were safe. Risks for people were assessed and monitored. People were protected from harm and abuse as staff were knowledgeable and had a good understanding how to keep people safe. Enough staff were available to respond to people’s needs in a timely manner. Accident and incidents were investigated, and measures were in place to prevent recurrence.

Staff worked well with other healthcare professionals. Referrals were submitted in a timely manner and we received positive feedback from a healthcare professional on the day of our visit. Care files contained detailed information for staff to support people and provide effective care. People’s needs were assessed, and staff were supported to acquire relevant skills and experience for their roles. People were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink and had a calm and enjoyable dining experience. The provider was working towards a refurbishment plan to ensure the building would be maintained to a high standard.

The provider was working in line with the principles of the mental capacity act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The care people received was tailored to their individual needs. Care plans reflected people’s needs, their preferences and their choices. People were supported to maintain good well-being and reduce the risk of social isolation.

The service had systems in place to monitor and share continuous learning. Management showed leadership and were clear about their role and responsibilities. We received mostly positive feedback about the management of the service from people, families and staff. However, some felt communication could be improved. There was a positive culture throughout the service. Management was open and honest, and worked well with healthcare professionals.

We have made a recommendation in regard to the providers communication and involvement policy.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 21 March 2022).

The provider completed an action plan after the previous inspection published 21 March 2022 to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We undertook this focused inspection to check whether the Warning Notice we previously served in relation to Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 had been met. The overall rating for the service has changed following this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Red Oaks on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

14 February 2022

During a routine inspection

About the service

Red Oaks Care Community is a care home registered to provide personal and nursing care, including to those living with dementia. The service can support up to 40 people, at the time of our inspection 26 people were living at the home all receiving personal care, no one was in receipt of nursing care. Red Oaks Care Community is purpose built and split over two floors with communal areas on each floor and outdoor communal space to the rear.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The provider's quality assurance systems were not always effective in identifying failings or driving improvements. Policies and procedures had not always been followed. Some policies were not specific to the service and included tasks the provider and staff did not perform.

The risks associated with infections spreading were not always managed and guidelines on person protective equipment were not always followed.

Medicines were not always managed safely, and people did not always receive their prescribed medicines on time. Risks associated with people's healthcare needs had not always been assessed and risk reduction measures were either not in place or not followed.

Safeguarding systems and processes were in place and people were protected from the risk of abuse and neglect.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff competently supported people to make decisions about their preferences for end of life care. The service made sure that facilities and support were available for people’s family, friends and other carers, and for staff, before and after a person dies.

People and relatives told us they were happy with the care provided and felt well supported by appropriately trained and caring staff.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement (published on 17 December 2020). The service remains rated requires improvement under the new provider.

Why we inspected

This service was registered with us on 21 April 2021 and this is the first inspection under this provider.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in governance and leadership at this inspection.

Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

Follow up

We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.