- Care home
Larchwood Grove
Assessment report published 20 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 18 August 2026 to 28 August 2026. We completed this assessment to follow up on concerns received about the service and because we had not assessed the service since the new provider took over the service. We carried out a comprehensive assessment. Larchwood Grove is a residential care home providing accommodation for persons who require personal care. It can provide care for up to 10 people. The service is registered to provide support to older people, younger adults, people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people with physical disabilities. At the time of our assessment 10 people were living at the service.
We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed autistic people and people with a learning disability respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
We identified 4 breaches of regulations relating to risk management including medicines management, person-centred care, need for consent and good governance.
The provider’s audit systems had not always detected issues identified in the assessment. Risks to people were not always identified and risk assessments lacked enough detailed information for staff to know how to keep people safe. The building had been suitably maintained however; improvements were required to window safety and hand washing. Most staff had completed training to meet people’s needs. However, staff had not been provided with detailed guidance and training on epilepsy, despite supporting people living with epilepsy. Safeguarding concerns had not always been reported to the appropriate authorities. Medicines were not managed safely. People were mostly supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. However, some people had full capacity to make specific decisions, and some people lacked capacity regarding specific decisions. Mental capacity assessments were not decision specific.
People’s dignity and privacy were respected. Records were held securely. Staff had been safely recruited. People had their needs assessed before moving to the service. People had choices of food which met their assessed needs. Staff worked with health professionals to ensure people got the care and support they needed. Staff worked together as a team to support people and to ensure people received their care and support in the way they chose. Staff helped people communicate. We observed staff responding to people’s needs in a timely manner. Staff told us they felt well supported by the registered manager. The provider had systems in place to support people and relatives to express their views.
We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
We observed staff interactions with people and observed care and support in communal areas. We observed kind and caring interactions between staff and people. Staff treated people with kindness and knew people well. Staff spent time with people encouraging them to participate in activities and to develop and maintain important relationships. People had opportunities to go out into the community. Some people were not able to verbally communicate their needs and wishes.
People told us and we observed that staff treated them with dignity and respect, listened to their views and involved them in decisions about their care. People told us staff did not always promote their independence and encourage them to do as much as possible for themselves. People were not always able to be involved in household tasks everyday such as shopping, cooking and laundry.
Most people told us their health needs were well met. They told us they saw their GP, dentist, optician and chiropodist when they needed to.
People were supported to maintain contact with their relatives and friends. A person’s relative told us they spoke with their loved one weekly. People got on well with the people they lived with. A person told us, “Me and [person] gets on well. Me and [another person] are good friends.” We observed people dancing together and with staff when they were watching music videos. People were able to spend time in their bedrooms alone without being disturbed. People told us, “I like my room it’s the best room”, “I’m so happy” and “I go to church. I am happy.”
Relatives told us, “She is well looked after”, “[Person] seems very happy and content. I am happy she is getting on well”, “I think staff are nice, they come and go, [registered manager] is lovely I can speak to her about anything” and “She is well looked after, she goes to clubs and if she needs anything done, they do it.”
Relatives told us improvements had been made to the service. A relatives said, “When she first went there it needed a lot of work, they have started to do things now. First, it did not look inviting, and it needed a lot of new stuff, they have done the living room and dining room, it’s more up to date.” People told us how much nicer their home was now with a new open plan lounge area, media wall and the new flooring made it easier for people to walk around with their mobility equipment.