- Care home
Somerset House
Assessment report published 6 May 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 20 to 23 March 2026. This inspection was completed due to the age of the existing rating. Somerset House is a small residential care home for 6 people with assessed mental health needs. At the time of the inspection the home had full occupancy. The home is a large converted house with single rooms; bedrooms and bathrooms are situated on the first and second floors. There is a lounge, kitchen and dining room on the ground floor. The home is close to local amenities and to Bolton town centre.
Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse and had received training on how to recognise and report abuse.
There were enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs. People could communicate with staff who supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs. People’s physical, mental and social needs were holistically assessed. Care and treatment was based on current best practice and delivered in a coordinated way with involvement from other relevant organisations and health and social care professionals.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People had up to date risk assessments and staff regularly reviewed these. Staff responded appropriately to changing risk, and we observed care was delivered with compassion and respect.
Staff promoted independence and supported people to make their own choices, encouraging active involvement in day-to-day decisions, at every opportunity. The registered manager reviewed feedback received and shared learning across the staff team to improve service delivery.
There was an open and transparent culture within the management team with a focus on providing good care. The registered manager had been in post for a long time, providing stability and continuity. People and those important to them, where possible, were involved in planning their care. Good communication and the active involvement of the registered manager ensured any risk of a closed culture was minimised. Local partners in health and social care were positive about the culture at the home and had no concerns.
The service was led by a committed registered manager. Staff described a positive and open culture and felt supported and able to raise concerns or suggestions. The provider had established quality assurance and governance arrangements, ensuring consistent oversight and good standards of care. Concerns and complaints were managed appropriately.
People's experience of this service
We received positive feedback from people and their relatives regarding the quality of care provided. People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity and treated people as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships with peers, family and friends. Staff responded to people in a timely way.
People and relatives told us Somerset House was a welcoming and friendly home where people were well cared for. People looked clean and well-presented and were dressed in clothes of their own choice. A person told us, “They [staff] are very good; I have not felt uncomfortable with them and I feel safe. I go out a lot; I go to play snooker and attend the railway club.”
No one had raised any significant concerns, and everyone we spoke with said they knew who they would contact if there were any issues and felt confident they would be addressed. People and relatives said they were treated very well. People told us they felt safe living at the home and relatives agreed. A relative said, “Staff are very kind with everybody, and nothing is too much trouble. [Person] likes baking and the staff will make scones with [them] and they then have afternoon tea. [Person] is safe and all the family have input in [person’s] care.”
All people we spoke with told us staff attended to their needs when they needed them to. We observed staff attending to the needs of people and assisting them with daily living skills, in a safe and supportive way. All people told us they were happy and felt comfortable in speaking to staff about any needs they may have.
The provider worked to eliminate discrimination and people received fair and equal care and treatment. People were involved in planning their care and understood options around choosing to withdraw or not receive care. A person told us, “They [staff] encourage me to do things for myself and encourage me to go out and do my shopping. They [staff] said if I have a problem I can talk to them, no matter what the time. Sometimes I go shopping on my own or with the carers. They [staff] take me to the dentist and opticians and encourage me to eat healthy and exercise.”