- Care home
Elmwood Residential Home Limited
Assessment report published 14 October 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment 14 May 2025 to 25 June 2025
On site-visits 14 and 19 May 2025.
Elmwood Residential Home is in the town of Colyton in Devon, located 3 miles from Seaton and 6 miles from Axminster. They are registered to provide accommodation with personal care for up to 38 people with physical disabilities, long-term medical conditions or memory loss. At the time of this assessment, there were 31 people living at the service.
This assessment was completed unannounced to follow up on the warning notice which was issued on the last assessment.
At our last assessment, we found continued breaches of the consent, safe care and treatment and good governance regulations. We also identified a new breach in relation to person centred care. At this assessment, we found continued breaches of the regulations in relation to person centred care, consent, safe care and governance.
The inspection identified multiple areas requiring improvement, including breaches of regulation concerning governance, risk management, medicine administration, person-centred care, and consent practices. Oversight mechanisms such as audits and governance systems were not effectively utilised to monitor and enhance service quality or safety.
Care plans frequently failed to align with assessed needs, and there was no evidence of involvement from people or their relatives in the review process. Mental capacity assessments lacked contextual detail and omitted input from the people concerned. Activities provided did not consistently reflect personal interests, and safe recruitment practices were not always followed, although these issues were addressed during the inspection.
Concerns were also noted in environmental safety, with fire risks not managed promptly. Inadequate record-keeping and weak governance meant known risks were not consistently identified or mitigated. Medicine management did not meet required safety standards, compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 was insufficient, and shortcomings in advanced care planning increased the likelihood of inappropriate care.
Families and relatives expressed deep appreciation for the care provided to their loved ones, sharing overwhelmingly positive experiences, highlighting compassion and dignity. From being warmly welcomed with tea and food to the comforting presence of staff always available to talk, the environment fostered genuine connection and support.
Families described feeling completely at ease, with special praise for the patient and respectful care their loved ones received, particularly during end-of-life moments. Staff were noted not only for their cheerful and compassionate attitude but also for the pride they took in their work and in how they treated one another. For those whose loved ones were initially reluctant to enter a care home, the thoughtful and dignified approach of the staff provided both comfort and peace of mind, offering reassurance that their relatives were truly valued and cared for.
In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/ or appeals have been concluded.
People's experience of this service
While the people and their relatives we spoke with expressed satisfaction with the care provided, our assessment identified aspects of care which did not meet expected standards. People and their families spoke positively about the care home, its staff, and management.
People expressed feeling safe with staff and were satisfied with the support they received.
They confirmed their needs were met through collaboration between staff and relevant health and social care professionals.
People appreciated the staff supporting them, noting that assistance was provided promptly.
Staff were described as kind, compassionate, and caring, with people feeling valued by those who showed genuine interest in their well-being and quality of life. Comments we received included, “They’re all very kind here, we’re well cared for." When asked about the service management, one person told us, “We appreciate the approachability of the management team, describing the new manager as welcoming and open, with an accessible office policy where visitors frequently discuss concerns.”