- Care home
Aldringham Court
Assessment report published 6 October 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 20 to 28 August 2025. The service is a residential care home providing support to up to 45 older people living with dementia and nursing needs. At the start of our assessment there were 39 people using the service.
The provider had systems in place to investigate, analysis and learn lessons from incidents and accidents. Risks to people were assessed and measures in place to mitigate them to reduce the risks of avoidable harm. However, records did not always demonstrate people were supported to change position to reduce the risks of pressure injury. The service was clean and measures were in place to reduce the risks in the environment and with equipment. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Staff received training to meet people’s needs. Medicines were managed safely, however, we identified some recording issues which were addressed when we had pointed it out.
Systems were in place to ensure people and their representatives, where appropriate, were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff supported people to have enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. Staff worked with external professionals involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.
Staff treated people with kindness and compassion, and respected people’s choices, privacy, independence and dignity. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with family and friends. The provider supported staff wellbeing.
Care plans were being updated when people’s needs changed, however, this was not done in all relevant sections, leading to contradictions, this was addressed when we pointed it out. Daily notes identified the personal care people received but did not always reflect people’s wellbeing and how they presented. The management team told us training was booked in this area and improvements were planned. Staff provided information people could understand. There was a complaints procedure in place and people’s concerns and complaints were taken seriously and acted on. The provider had systems to ensure people received fair and equal care and treatment.
Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture. Leaders were visible and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally. There was a culture of continuous improvement.
People's experience of this service
People were positive about the quality of their care and how the staff treated them with kindness and respect. A person told us, “They are all very kind, they do what I ask.” Relatives confirmed they felt their family members were happy living in the service and were being treated well by staff.
People told us they felt safe in the service and were consulted about their care, as were relatives. Relatives told us they were kept updated about their family member’s wellbeing.
People and relatives told us there were activities available, which they enjoyed, particularly the outings in the community.
People told us they got enough choices and food and drink. A person said, “There are always 2 choices on the menu, but I can have something else if I want.” People told us the quality of the food was good, a person described their lunch during our visit as, “Lovely.”
People felt able to complain and felt action would be taken and improvements would be made. A person’s relative said, “Nothing much you could do to make it better.”
People knew staff and leaders well. Relatives knew who the manager was and felt they were approachable.