Chater Lodge

Updated 1 April 2025

Date of Assessment: 29 April to 9 May 2025. Chater Lodge is a residential care home providing support to older and younger adults, people who have physical disabilities and people living with dementia. At the time of our assessment there were 34 people using the service. People were kept safe, but care plans did not always provide personalised information around people’s specific needs, including health conditions and mobility needs. Records relating to the monitoring of people’s care needs, including daily fluid intake, was not always consistent or accurate. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed, but improvements were needed to ensure some medicine records included sufficient information and guidance for staff to follow. Quality assurance systems required review to ensure they were fully effective in supporting oversight of the service, and in identifying and addressing shortfalls. The registered manager and providers’ representative were responsive to our assessment findings and provided assurance and evidence of improvements made or in progress following our assessment. People were supported to maintain their emotional and physical health and wellbeing within a purpose-built environment. The provider was in the process of planning renovations and upgrades to the first floor to meet the needs of people living with dementia more effectively.

Staff received sufficient training and guidance to meet people’s needs. There were adequate staff deployed to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Managers made sure staff received training and regular supervision to provide quality care. Staff were respectful, kind and caring in their approaches, and consulted with people to offer choices and encourage decision making. People were involved in assessments of their needs and included in decisions about their care. Staff described the service positively and felt the culture was supportive and inclusive. Managers were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff to develop in their roles. Managers engaged well with people, staff and other agencies, including the local community, to support people to achieve the best possible outcomes from their care.

Updated 1 April 2025

People were positive about the quality of their care. They felt safe and were fully involved in planning their care and understood their rights. Peoples’ comments included, “The staff are wonderful, I think there’s enough and they’re trained well. ‘It’s a happy place here, people are jolly” and “I’m well looked after. The staff are very good, friendly, and they have a laugh with me.” Several people described how staff treated them kindly and made sure any personal care was done sensitively, preserving their privacy and dignity. They also said the service provided interesting activities to keep people physically and mentally active. These included helping people to pursue individual hobbies and interests and fulfil lifetime ambitions. No one we spoke with felt there could be any improvements to the service. Relatives described staff as kind, caring and patient and benefited from activities that were meaningful and stimulated people. They found the registered manager accessible and approachable. Some people could not directly tell us about their experience. We observed interactions between people and staff to assess whether they received good care. This approach showed people were included and listened to and staff consistently interacted positively with them.