Blenheim Lodge

Updated 28 July 2026

About the service

Blenheim Lodge is a care home registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 30 people. At the time of the inspection visit there were 24 people living at the home.

Who the service is for

The home specialises in the care of older people.

Key findings

We carried out this assessment on 12 August 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.

People were cared for safely by staff who had received appropriate training to meet their needs. Staff and people knew how to report any concerns and staff said any issues raised would be thoroughly investigated to maintain people’s safety.

The registered manager used feedback and concerns to continually improve the support provided to people. Learning from incidents was shared with staff so changes became embedded into practice.

The environment and equipment were well maintained to ensure the safety of people and staff. During our visit we identified 1 area of the environment which could potentially place people at risk. The registered manager acted promptly, in consultation with people, to reduce the risk.

Medicines were safely administered by staff who had received specific training to carry out the role. Medication administration records were well completed and clearly showed when medicines were administered or refused.

People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen.

People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice, control and freedom over their lives. One member of staff told us, “We assume capacity for everyone. People have the right to make choices and take risks.” Where people were assessed to lack capacity in a specific area, records showed how decisions had been made and how people and those important to them, had been consulted.

People had their needs assessed before they moved to the home. Health and social care professionals said the staff worked well with them to make sure people’s needs could be met.

Staff had an excellent knowledge of the people they supported. Staff told us care plans and regular handover meetings gave them the information they needed to effectively support people and respond to changing needs or wishes.

Care plans were personalised which helped to make sure care was provided in accordance with people’s individual needs and preferences.

Throughout our visit we observed kind and caring interactions between people and staff.

People were encouraged to maintain their independence and continue to socialise with friends and family. Activity staff were employed to help people to continue to take part in activities and hobbies which interested them.

The care home was well led by a registered manager who was passionate about providing high quality care to people. The registered manager was supported by a staff team who took on champion roles such as safeguarding, health and safety, end of life and medication. This helped to make sure all areas were positively promoted and monitored. Where audits highlighted shortfalls, actions were always taken to make improvements.

Staff told us they were proud to work at the home, and all said they would recommend it as a place to live or work. All staff described the management as open and approachable which meant they were comfortable to make suggestions or raise concerns.

Updated 28 July 2026

During our inspection visit we were able to speak with 12 people and 2 visitors. We also carried out observations throughout the day.

Following the inspection visit we received feedback from 6 relatives of people living at Blenheim Lodge.

There was a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the home. There were ongoing interactions between people and staff, and staff supported several people to go out. People told us staff were respectful and promoted their independence and dignity.

People were very happy with the care they received. One person said, “The care here is excellent, I can’t fault it.” Another told us, “Nothing could be better.”

People spoke positively about the staff. One person said, “The staff are so kind and helpful.” Another person commented, “Staff are absolutely lovely.”

People felt safe living at the home and with the staff who supported them. One person told us, “I feel totally safe here, I never even close my bedroom door.” Another person said, “I feel safe, the staff are all very kind.”

People felt there were enough staff. They told us if they rang their call bell for assistance staff responded promptly. During our visit we did not hear bells ringing for extended periods of time.

People knew about their care plans and mostly felt they received care and support in accordance with their wishes. One visitor said about the person they were visiting, “They are so much better in themselves and so much happier since they moved here.”

People told us staff arranged for them to see healthcare professionals when they needed to. One person told us, “They [staff] show real concern if something is wrong with you. They always act quickly.” Healthcare professionals said the staff communicated well with them to make sure people received the support they needed.

One relative told us about the staff’s close monitoring of a person’s health conditions. They said, “I believe they [staff] have extended their life and improved their wellbeing considerably.”

People were able to take part in a variety of activities and outings to promote their wellbeing. People told us they especially enjoyed a twice weekly keep fit class and trips into the town.

We received mixed feedback about the food. Some people told us they enjoyed the food very much whilst others said it was not always to their liking. Where people had raised issues about food, records showed staff had offered a range of solutions. We observed lunch during our visit. The meals were well presented and appeared to be enjoyed by people.