Elliscombe House

Elliscombe House is a care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 35 older people. There were 28 people living at the home when we visited.

The assessment was conducted between 12 March 2026 and 31 March 2026. We visited the home on 18 March 2026 and 31 March 2026. This was a responsive assessment prompted by numerous concerns about the owner and the detrimental effect they were having on the service.

The information shared with us raised serious concerns that key members of the management team may leave. The service would then be without the leadership, oversight and expertise needed to ensure safe, effective, and consistent care.

We found the owner’s behaviour continued to have a disruptive and distressing impact on people, relatives and staff. Staff did not feel safe to speak up about concerns relating to the owner and described feeling criticised, undervalued or fearful of repercussions. We were told, “As a management team, we are completely deflated, unable to work and run the home the way we want to and now working in constant fear.”

Governance systems were inconsistent. Although the on-site management team ran the service well, their good work was undermined by the owner. People currently had compassionate care delivered by a stable staff team, but this was at serious risk due to the owner’s behaviour.

People and relatives told us they felt safe and well cared for. We observed strong relationships, good communication and positive interactions between staff and people. The on-site management team were respected, visible and supportive. Staff valued their leadership and the improvements they had made.

Staff remained committed to delivering high‑quality care and people praised the staff, environment, food, activities and housekeeping. However, the behaviour of the owner, and their lack of learning or improvement from previous concerns meant the service was at risk of decline.

At this assessment, the rating for the well led key question has changed from good to requires improvement. 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.

This assessment was concluded on 31 March 2026. We were advised by the provider’s legal representatives on 30 April 2026 the owner would no longer have involvement with Elliscombe House whatsoever in terms of its management and operations and would not visit the home. An experienced ‘Nominated Individual’ (a person responsible for supervising the management of the service) had also been appointed to take on the role previously undertaken by the owner.

Date of assessment 8 July 2025 to 25 July 2025. We visited the home on the 15, 16 and 25 July 2025. This was a planned comprehensive assessment.

Elliscombe House is a nursing and residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 35 people. The service provides support to older people. At the time of our assessment there were 25 people using the service.

At the previous assessment, published in November 2024, the provider was found to be in breach of regulations in relation to risk management, safe use of medicines, staffing and good governance. This assessment found significant improvements had been made, and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Risk management, staff training and staff support had been improved. Significant progress had been made in recruiting new staff. Staffing levels were appropriate, with safe staff recruitment practices in place. Staff received regular training and understood the importance of person-centred care. Staff asked for more specific training in certain areas. Leadership of care staff on each shift could be improved upon further.

Care plans and medicine management had improved; some further improvements were required. Quality assurance systems had been put in place, to ensure accountability, safety, rights protection, and high-quality care. The management team had worked hard to lead and improve the service. They were committed to continuous improvement.

Staff morale, working atmosphere and teamwork was generally very good. Staff told us they felt valued and well supported by the management team. The registered manager provided strong leadership and had overseen many improvements.

However, the home was adversely affected by the owner when they visited due to the way they spoke to some people and staff and disrupted staff routines. This significant issue was raised throughout this assessment. A plan has been agreed between the owner and the CQC to resolve this issue.