During an assessment under our new approach
Date of assessment 25 March and 03 April 2026. Woodleigh Manor Residential Care Home provides residential care for older people, many of which were living with advanced dementia and/ or complex needs. This service is registered to accommodate up to 34 people. At the time of the assessment there were 29 people living there. We assessed the service due to the age of the previous rating.
People were supported to live in a safe environment where risks to their health, safety and wellbeing were appropriately identified, assessed and managed. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of safeguarding processes and knew how to recognise, report and respond to concerns. Incidents and accidents were reviewed to support learning and improvement.
Medicines overall were managed safely by trained staff, staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs, and recruitment practices helped ensure staff were suitable for their roles. The premises and equipment were wellmaintained, with regular safety checks and action plans in place to address identified risks, supported by effective management oversight.
People’s care and support needs were assessed, planned and delivered effectively to achieve positive outcomes and maintain wellbeing. Staff had a good understanding of people’s individual needs and preferences and used person‑centred care plans to provide consistent care. People were supported to maintain good nutrition, hydration and access to healthcare, with timely involvement of relevant professionals. Staff received appropriate training and worked well together to monitor and respond to changes in people’s needs. Care was delivered in line with recognised best practice.
Care was a particular strength of the service and reflected outstanding practice. People were treated with exceptional kindness, compassion and respect, and care was deeply personalised, empowering and inclusive. Strong, trusting relationships were evident between staff, people and their families, creating a genuine sense of home, belonging and emotional safety. Staff consistently went above and beyond to understand what mattered most to people, promoting dignity, independence and meaningful outcomes.
Overall, the provider invested in staff wellbeing as a cornerstone of compassionate care. By enabling staff to feel valued, emotionally supported and professionally confident, the service achieved consistently exceptional caring outcomes for people.
People received care that was responsive to their individual needs, preferences and changing circumstances. Care was flexible and regularly reviewed to ensure it continued to reflect people’s wishes and choices. Staff turnover was extremely low. This supported staff to get to know people well and respond promptly and appropriately to requests for support. This provided continuity of care to maximise positive experiences. People and relatives felt listened to, involved in decisions and confident that concerns or complaints would be addressed appropriately.
The provider and registered manager had oversight to ensure the service was well led, with a strong values‑driven culture and visible, inclusive leadership. Staff felt supported, valued and motivated, and there was a clear emphasis on teamwork, reflection and continuous improvement. Governance systems were effective in monitoring quality and safety, with feedback from people, relatives and staff used to drive learning and improvement. Overall, leadership and management provided clear direction and oversight, supporting the delivery of consistently good care.