- Care home
Kernow House
Assessment report published 30 September 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 25 and 26 August 2026. Kernow House is a purpose-built residential and nursing care home that provides care for older people, including those living with dementia, as well as younger people with physical disabilities. There are 3 main areas within the home known as ‘communities’ that cater for particular health care needs. Kernow House is registered to provide accommodation for a maximum of 85 people. On the day of the assessment, 81 people were living at the service.
People were protected from all forms of abuse and staff had the skills to meet people’s needs.
There were enough staff to support people in line with their needs and preferences. Call bells were answered promptly, and we observed staff responding to people’s requests.
Staff were recruited safely and completed an induction before starting work. Ongoing training and competency checks helped ensure they had the appropriate skills and knowledge to carry out their roles.
The service was clean, and staff understood how to manage infection control risks.
People had enough to eat and drink, food was varied and healthy. Staff monitored people’s health and escalated any concerns appropriately. People were supported to access other healthcare agencies when needed. Professionals external to the service were positive about the approach to joint working.
Staff understood and respected people’s individual health and social needs. Care plans contained relevant information and were updated regularly.
Staff were exceptionally kind, compassionate and enjoyed their role caring for people. They told us they were well supported by the registered manager who listened to them and acted on suggestions they made. Regular staff meetings and daily staff handovers meant that communication between the staff teams and the oversight of the environment and its facilities were effective.
Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Best interest decisions were always carried out regarding specific decisions. All necessary applications had been made to the local authority.
During the assessment we identified improvements were required relating to some staff working excessive hours and medicine management. These were discussed with the registered and regional managers. Following the assessment action was taken. A new process was introduced to monitor staff working hours to ensure they no longer worked excessive hours. Processes to monitor the management of medicines were improved. We were assured there was no impact for people in receipt of care.
People's experience of this service
People and relatives were complimentary about the exceptional care and support they received, how they were encouraged to make choices in their care and to be as independent as possible.
People told us they felt safe and staff responded to any requests for support. Comments included “I would say this place is comfortable, warm and caring”, “Staff are fantastic” and “Any concerns I talk to the staff everyone is approachable and usually if a request is made it is sorted.”
People felt their care needs were met by the staff team and, if needed, they were supported to access other health care agencies.
People had access to a range of activities and entertainment to support their health and well-being. There were planned activities that people, and their relatives, could participate in if they wished. People’s views on what activities should be sourced, and ideas and suggestions on how they wanted their home to be run were listened and responded to.
People had confidence in the management of the home and any concerns they raised had been acted upon.