- Care home
Clarkson House Residential Care Home
Report from 5 June 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
We visited the service on the 10 and 16 of June 2025.
Clarkson House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 28 people in one adapted building with bedrooms over 2 floors. At the time of our inspection there were 23 people using the service.
At our previous inspection we found breaches of regulation as medicines and risk were not being managed effectively; and systems of governance were not operated effectively to ensure the quality of the service. At this inspection we found the necessary improvements had been made and the service was no longer in breach of these regulations. However, we did note there were some areas for improvement in relation to the management of medicines and record keeping.
People felt safe and systems were in place to ensure risks were assessed and mitigated. We noted some occasions where records were not completed accurately but the registered manager was in the process of addressing these. Staff knew and understood people’s needs. People did not always feel there were enough staff to meet their needs. We noted some improvements were needed to the management of medicines; including medicines used occasionally, medicines prescribed at a variable dose and patch medicines. There was an ongoing programme of environmental work, with some areas, such as the laundry to be addressed shortly after our visit.
People’s needs were assessed and people were supported to access health care services as needed. Staff worked together to meet people’s needs. Further work was needed to ensure systems of oversight and accurate record keeping were in place, but staff knew people well and were able to identify any changes in people’s wellbeing. Consent was requested and, where people lacked capacity, the service was working in line with the Mental Capacity Act.
People and relatives spoke highly of the staff team, who were kind and caring. We observed positive interactions between people and staff, and that staff were responsive to people’s needs. People were supported to make choices around their daily lives and independence was promoted.
People’s preferences and wishes were respected. People were supported to access services where needed. Staff were effective in communicating with people and resources were available to support this. Further work was needed to ensure people were supported to plan for their future if they wished to.
The registered manager felt well supported by the provider and they worked together to invest in the service and drive improvement. There were systems for oversight, which identified areas for improvement, but further action was needed to ensure all concerns were fully addressed. Staff felt well supported in their role and we received positive feedback from people and families about how the service was managed.
People's experience of this service
People felt safe and looked well cared for. One person feedback, “I feel safe and can get about the home.” People and families spoke positively about staff and the care they received. One person commented, “I’m very comfortable with staff who always ask permission before they deliver care.” Another person stated, “I like it here and feel safe. The staff are so nice with me.”
People did not always feel there were enough staff in duty. One person commented, “I feel the staff are excellent, and I have a good laugh with them. There aren’t enough staff on at night.” Another person commented, “People [staff] know me and that’s good. I sometimes feel rushed if staff are very busy.”
People told us they were able to access other health care services. One person commented, “I’m always amazed at how quickly the GP comes to treat the patients here.” Another person commented, “I’ve not seen a dentist, but I have had an optician and chiropodist, who cuts my toenails here.”
People were supported to making decisions and remain independent. One person told us, “The staff treat me very well and listen to me. I couldn’t ask for better care. I can make everyday choices and don’t feel pressurised.” People told us they had been involved in decision making. One person told us, “I was first involved in the care planning two years ago. There hasn’t been any reviews.” A family member commented, “A care plan has been drawn up and my [siblings] and I were involved in this.”