Lord Hardy Court

Updated 20 April 2026

Date of Assessment: 3 June to 15 June 2026. The service is a residential care home providing support to older people, including people living with dementia. The service also provides support to people with a learning disability. We carried out an assessment looking at all the quality statements and all key questions. Our decision to inspect the service was due to the age of the rating. At our last assessment the service was rated good and at this inspection the service had remained good.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

We found the provider was meeting the principles of Right support, right care, right culture. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. People lived in a clean environment. The provider was in the process of refurbishment to improve the service design. People were treated with respect and dignity. There were systems to investigate and learn from accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. Lord Hardy Court accommodates up to 60 people in one adapted building that is divided into four units. Each unit can accommodate up to 15 people, and 1 unit was being occupied by people with a learning disability. This is larger than current best practice guidance, however, people were happy and content in their living environment and had access to outside space freely.

Accidents and incidents were analysed and trends and patterns identified to mitigate future risks. Lessons were learnt from safety events and staff were involved in changing practice to improve the service. The service was clean and well presented. Maintenance checks were carried out in line with expected standards. People receive their medicines as prescribed; however, we identified some minor issues which were acted on immediately. Staff were recruited safely and pre-employment checks completed appropriately. Risks associated with people's care are identified and managed to keep people safe.

People's needs were assessed and care delivered in line with them. People had access to healthcare professionals and care plans clearly documented their advice and showed this was followed. People had access to good nutrition and hydration, and modified diets were provided where required. Staff and teams worked well together and daily records were clearly written. Handover sessions took place to ensure important information was passed between staff

Staff were caring in their approach and included people as partners in their own care. People had access to social activities and there was a good sense of involvement of people and listening to their voice. People had access to information which was displayed around the home and available in their bedrooms. Complaints were recorded and responded to appropriately, and duty of candour applied, and lessons learned were identified.

The management team had governance systems in place which helped them identify and address issues as they arose. Timely action was taken to ensure the quality of the service was maintained.

Updated 20 April 2026

People and relatives were very complimentary about the kind and caring nature of staff and leaders. Staff knew people well and were friendly. One person said, “The staff are kind, considerate, patient and genuinely seem to care; they are great.” A relative said, “I chose this home, it is lovely here and the quality of care is good. I am pleased [family member] is here, it’s safe and there is always someone on hand.” Another relative said, “It is so welcoming here [Lord Hardy Court]. Everybody talks and they [staff] all know [family members] name.” People felt safe living at the home. One person said, “It’s lovely here. Yes, I feel safe; there’s people all around, it’s clean, I have a shower every day and the hairdresser comes.” People told us there were plenty of staff available to meet their needs. One person said, “There is always enough staff.”

People told us they enjoyed their meals and staff provided them with choices. One person said, “It’s [the food] nice, it’s very good.” People and relatives told us they were involved in reviews about their care. One relative said, “We have regular reviews about [family members] care. Staff pick up on things very quick; even quicker than me. [Family member] is more settled here; it’s a testament to how good it is.”

People and relatives knew how to raise a concern if they needed to and felt staff and leaders would take action to address them. One relative said, “I’ve not made any complaints. I’d complain to the senior [staff member].”

People were positive about the way the home was managed although some people and relatives told us they didn’t know who the manager was. One person said, “I didn’t know there was a manager. I know the senior staff though.” We raised this with the leaders who explained there had been some recent changes within the management team and would ensure people were informed of the current management arrangements.