- Care home
Belong Chester
Assessment report published 13 May 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 17 February to 12 March 2025. Belong Chester is a care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 75 adults with a range of needs, including people living with dementia. At the time of our assessment 62 people were using the service.This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. We assessed all of the quality statements.
Overall, we found the service supported people with person-centred care. The provider had taken an innovative approach and used research to inform their practice. They had developed the service based on evidence-based care models, with an intergenerational approach and on-site nursery. People, relatives and staff described the benefits for children and people, who regularly engaged and shared activities and experiences. People were supported within ‘households,’ where a maximum of 12 people lived. These were designed to feel like home and with a focus on an environment which enable people to be involved and as independent as possible.
The provider worked in partnership with a dementia specialist (admiral nurse) based at the service, who provided advice and support. Staff welcomed the local community to join and be part of life at the service. There was a gym and exercise specialist who supported people with tailored programmes. The provider had a focus on supporting people to enjoy life.
However, we found some areas for improvement were required mainly relating to safeguarding, safe and effective staffing, aspects of risk management and infection prevention and control.
There was a registered manager in post. Prior to our assessment, the provider had introduced a range of improvements to increase their oversight and ensure audits undertaken were effective. The provider was working on a service development plan, including completed improvements and where further development was needed. Some of the issues we identified were already part of the provider’s development plan, however, not all had been identified and/or addressed. The provider was responsive, taking several actions in response to our feedback to strengthen their oversight further.
People's experience of this service
Overall, people were positive about the care and support they received at Belong Chester. One person said, “Its good, I am treated well.” Relatives commented, “It’s brilliant, they look after relative’s physical and emotional wellbeing” and “They know my family member well and have a good relationship.” People were particularly positive about the engagement and activities available with the children from the on-site nursery. People also enjoyed the activity program and use of the community bistro area. Relatives told us staff were kind and caring in their approach and treated their relatives with respect. One relative commented, “They (staff) treat my relative as part of their family, with upmost care and respect, so kind and caring.” Whilst people told us staff treated them well, some feedback indicated at times staff were not always available to respond promptly.