- Care home
Dean House
Assessment report published 22 April 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 10 – 31 March 2026. Dean House is a residential care home providing support to people with a variety of health conditions, including frailty of old age and dementia.
The provider had developed a culture of learning when accidents and incidents occurred. Safe systems ensured staff worked collaboratively with a range of professionals to provide consistent and co-ordinated care. Safeguarding requirements were met, and any instances of abuse or suspected abuse were reported as needed. People’s risks were identified, assessed and managed safely. The home provided a safe environment which was clean, with procedures to resist and manage any infection risks. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s care and support needs, and staff completed a range of training in line with their roles. Staff were recruited safely. Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of safely.
People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the home, and a range of monitoring tools was used to support the care they received from staff. A variety of health and social care professionals supported people to live healthier lives, and to achieve good outcomes. People’s consent to care and support was routinely sought by staff.
People were cared for by kind and compassionate staff who knew them well; their dignity was respected. People were encouraged with their independence and their immediate needs were responded to promptly. There were no restrictions on people receiving visits. The home supported staff with their wellbeing and regular supervisions, enabling staff to make suggestions or voice any concerns.
People received person-centred care that catered for their likes, dislikes and preferences. Care plans provided information for staff about how people wished to be cared for. Staff completed training in equality and diversity and demonstrated their understanding in practice. Staff completed training in end of life care.
The culture of the home shaped the environment, the quality of care and daily life for people and staff. A positive culture had been developed that was person-centred and focused on giving people dignity and choice on what was important to them. A robust system of audits monitored the home overall and was used to drive improvements.
People's experience of this service
People told us they felt safe living at Dean House and that risks were managed well. A relative said, “[Family member] had an unwitnessed fall. The paramedics were called out. She didn’t need to go to hospital and I wouldn’t want her to go, she would be so confused.” People received their medicines as prescribed. A relative told us, “We know what medicines are prescribed. They’re on the ball and the doctor has seen her.” People were protected from the risk of abuse by trained staff who knew how to recognise any issues or concerns and what actions to take. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs.
People and their families were involved in assessments before they came to live at Dean House. People were supported with healthy lifestyles, with the involvement of representatives from the local medical practice and through healthy diets. One person said, “The food is quite good. The best time to eat is breakfast when your stomach is more able to cope and the worst time is the evening. My breakfast is the main meal for me and I have a light meal at lunchtime and coffee and cake in the evening. That’s my choice.” People were encouraged to make choices about the care they received and their consent was routinely sought.
People told us of the kind, compassionate and caring nature of the staff who looked after them. One person said, “I do feel cared for, yes, absolutely. They care about any person that comes here.” Another person told us, “It’s very comfortable and warm here.” Activities were available for people to participate in every day, with external entertainers visiting, and trips out. One person commented, “They’ve started preparing the garden. I enjoy gardening. I went round and asked people what they wanted, the plants and flowers they liked.”
People received personalised care from dedicated staff who knew them well; their diverse needs were acknowledged and catered for. If people had any complaints, they knew they could talk to staff, and their concerns would be taken seriously. A relative told us, “I would speak to the manager. I haven’t complained, but I’ve asked for things to be done, and they were done quickly. Things are acted on very quickly.”
People were positive about the way the home was managed and the care and support they received. A relative said, “I do think the home is well managed and there’s enough staff. If I have any issue, they’re on the case.”