- Care home
Hunters Care Centre
Assessment report published 12 November 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Dates of Assessment: 4 August to 19 August 2025.
Hunters Care Centre is a residential care home which provides personal and nursing care to 85 older people and people living with dementia. At the time of inspection, 79 people were receiving care. Located in a rural area near Cirencester, the home consists of five units, including two dedicated to people with dementia. The property features gardens accessible to residents, as well as a variety of communal spaces for use by both residents and their relatives.
People were truly respected and valued as individuals; and empowered as partners in their care in an exceptionally caring service. Staff were described as kind and respectful across all roles. Activities were thoughtfully and purposefully planned and personalised, and people were supported to socialise and connect with each other and the local community. There was a well-established focus on monitoring outcomes for people through engagement in activities and measuring the positive impact these had on them. The management team strongly recognise the importance of ensuring the wellbeing of their staff team.
Staff understood each person’s needs and how to protect them from harm, with care plans and risk assessments guiding their practice. Medicines were administered safely and as prescribed. Staff were well-trained and supported to meet people’s needs. Systems of incident analysis and learning were robust.
The service was clean and people were protected from the spread of infection. Equipment was regularly serviced and checks of the environment were completed to ensure the service was safe for people.
People were empowered to have maximum choice and control over their lives, with staff supporting them in the least restrictive and most appropriate way. This was conducted in line with best interests and supported by clear policies and systems.
The service was effective in assessing and reviewing people’s needs, though some improvements in people’s fluid intake monitoring were required. The management team immediately acted upon our feedback.
Health and social care professional involvement was sought and staff provided feedback to professionals so treatment plans could be adapted for positive outcomes for people. People were able to access appointments.
People were supported by a staffing team who knew them well and understood people’s communication needs. People received person-centred care.
People and their relatives were involved in decisions about their support. People’s feedback was listened to. Nutritional needs were met, and people’s dietary requirements were known by staff.
The registered manager and management team provided leadership which was strong, inclusive, and visionary.
Governance systems were in place, with various audits and action plans driving quality, however some improvements were needed to ensure these identified the gaps we found in recording and monitoring of fluid intake for people.
Community partnerships and innovation were actively pursued, enhancing service delivery.
People's experience of this service
Despite receiving mixed feedback in relation to staffing level, responsiveness to call bells and the food provision, people and their relatives reported feeling safe and spoke very positively about the quality of care provided.
One person told us, “Very happy and don’t want to be anywhere else. Very lucky to be here, best care home in the area.” Another said, “Staff is always keeping an eye on me. You never feel alone in Hunters because is always someone who can help.”
A relative told us, “I cannot rate Hunter’s care home so highly my mum is so happy and refers to it as her home and it gives us peace of mind that she is safe and well looked after day and night.”
People said they were cared for by staff who were friendly, supportive and caring. One relative told us, “I think the staff are very caring and kind and listen to her. Most know her very well. They comment on what she is wearing and how nice she looks which makes her feel good and is something very important to her.” One person told us, “The staff are wonderful; I cannot thank them enough for what they have done and are still doing for me.”
People were able to make day to day decisions. A relative told us, “[Person] has advanced dementia, so I feel staff respect [person’s] wishes if she has a request.”
People and their relatives told us they were involved in planning their care and were kept informed of any changes. One relative told us, “The care plan has been discussed with me and when it is reviewed in light of any changes. Measures are implemented immediately and the reasoning why.” One person said, “They consider you in every way.”
The feedback related to the registered manager and the management team was overall very positive and complimentary. A relative said, “We are happy [relative] is safe and happy and well cared for. It gives us great comfort to know this, and we trust the manager and the staff with their vigilance and professionalism, and we are very grateful for this.”
Another told us, “It is obvious that the high standards in the home are driven by the leadership and personality of the General Manager. I was extremely impressed, and reassured, from the very first time I met him. He makes all the residents and relatives feel special, and I think that there is a lot of affection for him from the staff too.”
Some people could not directly tell us about their experience. Throughout our visits we observed care that was respectful, caring, and supportive.