- Care home
Stella House Residential Care Home
Assessment report published 18 March 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Dates of assessment: 8 January 2026 to 31 January 2026. Stella House is a 40 bedded residential care home, supporting older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of our assessment there were 35 people living at the service. We visited on 8 January 2026 and 14 January 2026. This was a planned assessment based on our previous rating.
The provider ensured safe staffing levels were in place and staff had the training and support to carry out their role. Recruitment procedures were in place but not always clearly recorded to show robust checks had been made. There was an established staff team who knew people well and fostered caring and trusting relationships. The service had a supportive culture and risks to people’s health, safety and wellbeing were mostly assessed appropriately and regularly reviewed. However, documentation was not always completed accurately or effectively to demonstrate people’s care and support was managed safely. Medicines were not robustly managed and improvements were required to ensure safe and consistent practice. The service was homely and well maintained.
The service worked well with stakeholders and other agencies to meet people’s health needs. There were strong links with health and social care professionals.
The management team conducted regular audits and checks to maintain oversight of the service, although these were not always effective and some areas of quality checks needed to be more robust. The provider and registered manager were accessible and approachable, and were committed to driving improvements and providing a person-centred, high-quality service.
The service was in breach of the legal regulation in relation to people’s safe care and treatment. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment. The provider was receptive to feedback and included the assessment findings in their continuous development of the service.
People's experience of this service
People and relatives gave consistently good feedback about their experiences of the care and support provided. They told us there was good support for their choice and independence and they felt they and their relatives were safe living at Stella House. They said staff were compassionate and kind and supported people with respect and warmth. Comments included, “All staff are good. I have everything I need and am well looked after by the people around me”, “I feel well looked-after here” and “I feel this was a good choice of care home where [my relative] has independence and choice. I would definitely recommend this home to others.” A minority of people and relatives felt the home could benefit from more staff.
Staff’s approach was friendly, caring and gentle, people’s views mattered, and they were listened to and included. People enjoyed jolly banter with staff and there was evidence of good relationships. People said they enjoyed the activities available to them, including the newly introduced themed days. Comments included “I enjoy reading and will engage with other residents as much as possible. The staff engage in conversation with me very well. I do crosswords and read a lot and take part in group activities if I’m interested” and “I like the activities. I’m looking forward to going to the pantomime.”
People’s views were sought through day-to-day contacts, meetings and surveys. People and relatives told us the registered manager and provider were approachable and responsive, and the service was well run and managed. There were consistently positive comments from family members about being informed of any medical issues or incidents.