- Care home
St Dominics Residential Home
Assessment report published 22 September 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 30 July 2025 to 8 August 2025
This service is a residential care home providing support to older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, 37 people were living in the service.
The provider was not always able to evidence how they assessed, monitored and mitigated risks to people’s health and safety. Robust systems were not always in place to demonstrate how incidents and safeguarding concerns were analysed to identify themes and ensure lessons were learnt. Systems in place for monitoring the safe administration of people’s medicines were not always effective.
There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. Staff knew people well and understood how they liked to be supported. People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. People were treated as individuals and staff supported them in line with their preferences.
People and those important to them were involved in assessing and reviewing their care. People were supported to have choice and control and make decisions about their care. People received fair and equal care and staff worked to reduce health and care inequalities. People and those important to them knew how to raise concerns and give feedback.
Staff worked with other agencies involved in people’s care to monitor their health and wellbeing and promote good outcomes. Staff and leaders had a shared vision and culture which placed people at the centre of the service. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive. The provider had a strong emphasis on promoting and supporting staff wellbeing.
Governance processes were in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service. However, these were not always being implemented effectively. The provider was responsive to feedback and were committed to making continuous improvements in the service to ensure people received good care.
People's experience of this service
People and those important to them spoke positively about the quality of care received. They told us staff were knowledgeable, kind and caring. Relatives told us they had no concerns about people’s safety and they felt involved in people’s care. People and their relatives told us the service provided a range of interesting activities to keep people physically and mentally active. People spoke positively about the quality and variety of meals provided.
Some people could not directly tell us about their experience. We used a structured observation tool to assess whether they received good care. This approach showed us staff were patient and did not rush when providing support. People were listened to and included in conversations and activities and staff were prompt to respond to people’s needs to minimise any distress or delay.
Relatives told us managers were approachable and good at staying in touch and making sure they were kept updated. They told us people’s care was person centred and they felt reassured by the care people received. Relatives told us they would recommend the service to others.
Comments included, “Everyone is friendly, the carers are very nice and [person] is happy here”, “The most important thing is that they do genuinely care for [person]”, “I think it is great there, the staff are caring, friendly and well-trained and they really care” and “It is a very well run home. [Person] is cared for so very well and the activities are amazing.”