Andrew Smith House - Nelson

Updated 18 July 2025

Date of assessment: 23, 24 and 29 July 2025. The service is a residential home, providing support to older people, younger adults, people with a physical disability, people who may be living with dementia, and people with a learning disability.

The provider had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. People were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Some improvements regarding recording of medicines were required.

People were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal care and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. People had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving between services. They monitored people’s health to support healthy living. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff involved those important to people to make decisions in people’s best interests where they did not have capacity.

Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. People with protected characteristics felt supported. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement with staff given time and resources to try new ideas.

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

Updated 18 July 2025

People we spoke to were contented living at Andrew Smith House. People said that staff had time to help them visit the local area such as shops and restaurants. People said there were enough staff and that staff knew their jobs well.

Relatives told us they thought that people were safe and well cared for; 1 relative said, “They are doing a fantastic job with [my relative].” Some relatives felt there were enough staff and others felt the home would benefit from more staff, so that people’s care routines could be completed in a timelier manner. A relative said, “They know what they are doing, they are all very nice but at times there isn't enough of them”.

People enjoyed the food and drink and said there was plenty of choice if they did not like what was on offer. Relatives said they saw staff cleaning the home on a regular basis but were concerned about an outbreak of an infection at the start of the year. A relative said, “The staff are always cleaning; I visit several times a week and it's always clean.”