Country Court

Updated 11 November 2025

Date of assessment: 17 and 18 November 2025. Country Court is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for older adults, including people living with dementia. Whilst people told us they felt safe, and staff were observed to be kind and respectful, concerns persist around governance, risk management and care planning.

However, improvements had been made since the last inspection including better safeguarding oversight and more structured audits. Care plans were person centred and specific, although some risk assessments were generic and not routinely reviewed. Infection prevention and control practices were variable, and environmental audits identified refurbishment needs that had not been addressed. Furthermore, some staff did not correctly sanitise their hands. Staffing levels were sufficient, and staff spoke positively about teamwork and support from local managers.

Leadership remains a key area of concern. Governance systems did not ensure timely action on all identified risks, and some staff expressed frustration about the provider’s lack of engagement and investment. Whilst the acting manager and deputy were valued for their commitment, the absence of effective provider-level leadership undermines progress.

Overall, the culture within the home is caring and staff are dedicated, but systemic weaknesses in leadership, governance and planning mean the service cannot yet demonstrate consistent, high-quality, person-centred care.

We found the previous breach in relation to person centred care, safeguarding, consent, safe care and treatment were now met and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations. There was a continued breach in relation to governance. There has been no registered manager in post for over 18 months, which was a breach of registration conditions. Whilst there are now governance systems in place, these are not always effective in identifying issues and addressing them in a timely way. This is a continued breach of regulation in relation to good governance.

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Updated 11 November 2025

People told us they generally felt safe and well cared for at Country Court. They described staff as kind, respectful and responsive to their needs. One person said, “The staff are all really kind here. I never wanted to come into a home but I am glad I came here.” Observations confirmed staff promoted dignity and choice during personal care and mealtimes, offering alternatives and supporting independence wherever possible.

People were comfortable raising concerns and trusted staff to act on them. Relatives spoke positively about staff, saying they were; “Very good and do their best.” Staff interactions were warm and compassionate, and people said they did not have to wait long for assistance. Lunchtime observations showed meals were appetising, and people were offered choices with clear explanations. Kitchen staff understood dietary needs and monitored those at risk of weight loss.

Activities were available, though mainly on a one-to-one basis, with occasional group sessions when entertainers visited. People valued these opportunities but told us they would like more variety. Whilst involvement in care planning was inconsistent, people felt listened to in day-to-day decisions, such as where to sit for meals or whether to join activities. Some care plans reflected people’s preferences in their own words, but this was not consistent across all records.

Overall, people’s experience of care was positive. They felt safe, respected and supported by staff who demonstrated kindness and commitment. However, gaps in care planning and limited group engagement mean the service could not yet fully demonstrate consistently person-centred care.