- Care home
Cary Brook
Assessment report published 18 December 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 6 November 2025 to 27 November 2025. We visited the home on 13, 17 and 27 November 2025. This was a planned comprehensive assessment.
Cary Brook is a residential home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 45 people. The service specialises in support for older people living with dementia. At the time of our assessment there were 38 people using the service.
At the previous assessment, published in July 2023, the provider was found to be in breach of regulation in relation to good governance. We also found the provider's systems for sharing learning, identifying environmental risks, and ensuring the safety of medicines were not always effective. This assessment found significant improvements had been made. The provider was no longer in breach of regulation.
Significant improvements had been made since the last inspection. The management team had worked hard to improve the service. Comprehensive quality assurance systems were effective and embedded. There was an established learning culture, and lessons from incidents were shared to improve practice.
Environmental risks were managed well. Medicines were stored and administered safely.
Staff were recruited safely; they received regular training and provided person-centred care.
Staffing levels were appropriate, and morale and teamwork were very good. Staff felt valued and well supported. Some staff raised concerns about the length of day shifts. The provider was reviewing this following staff feedback.
People were safe and well cared for. Relatives praised the kindness and attentiveness of staff. Staff interactions were warm and respectful, and people’s privacy and dignity were maintained. People enjoyed a range of activities and trips.
Care plans were personalised and updated. Consent was sought before care was given. Staff worked well with health professionals to ensure continuity of care, and end-of-life care was delivered with compassion.
People's experience of this service
People and their relatives were positive about the care and support provided at Cary Brook. They described staff as kind, patient and respectful, and said they felt safe and well cared for. One relative told us, “There is just a lovely atmosphere in this home. I knew it would suit mum.” Another said, “The care here is excellent. All the staff are wonderful, really kind, and caring.” People were supported to maintain their dignity and independence, and staff were observed offering choices and working at people’s own pace.
People’s needs were assessed before admission, and care plans were personalised and regularly updated. Staff understood each person’s preferences and were responsive to changes. Relatives valued the open communication and said they were kept informed about any changes or incidents.
People were supported to make choices about meals and drinks, and ‘protected mealtimes’ (when all staff in the home assisted people) helped create a calm and supportive environment. Staff offered visual choices and encouraged people to eat at their own pace.
People were supported by staff who knew them well, and interactions were warm and caring. The home environment was clean, well maintained and dementia-friendly, with clear signage and safe spaces so people could move around freely.
Compliments dominated the feedback we received, and people said they would recommend Cary Brook as a good place to live.