All inspections: Chelmsford Care Centre Ltd

This assessment was conducted between 15 July and 30 July 2025, with site visits taking place on 15 and 21 July 2025, to follow up on the findings of the previous inspection. At the time of the assessment, Chelmsford Care Centre was providing nursing care to 48 people. The service is registered as a care home offering accommodation and nursing or personal care under a single contractual agreement. Both the care provided, and the premises were reviewed as part of this assessment.

Although the service did not have a registered manager in post at the time, a newly appointed manager had submitted their application to the Care Quality Commission (CQC). For the purposes of this report, they are referred to as the manager.

The assessment focused on whether improvements had been made following previous concerns, particularly regarding good governance. We found that the provider had taken effective action to improve oversight and monitoring of care records and risk management. As a result, the provider was no longer in breach of this regulation.

People received safe, person-centred care, and staff demonstrated a strong understanding of individual needs and preferences. Care plans provided clear guidance to support safe and effective care delivery. Risks were well managed, and people’s health and wellbeing needs were met. People and their representatives were actively involved in planning and reviewing care.

Staff reported feeling supported in their roles and had access to training that enabled them to deliver care that was safe, effective, responsive, and caring. Recruitment processes were robust, helping to ensure the safety of people using the service.

The home was clean, welcoming, and well-suited to the needs of the people living there, including those with dementia. Systems were in place to ensure the safety of the environment and equipment, such as lifts and hoists.

People were supported to engage in meaningful activities and had access to a range of daily organised events. Staff knew people well and provided care in a way that respected their individuality. Staffing levels were appropriate to meet people’s needs safely.

The leadership team demonstrated a proactive approach, with a clear focus on delivering high-quality, person-centred care and driving continuous improvement across the service.

Date of assessment 30 September 2024 to 10 October 2024.

Chelmsford Care Centre is a ‘care home’ that provides nursing care for people living at the service. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises, and the care provided, and both were looked at during this assessment. At the time of our assessment the service was supporting 57 people.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. We assessed 13 quality statements across safe and well-led key questions and have combined the scores for these areas with scores from the last inspection.

This assessment was prompted by concerns shared with us by the local authority and information we held about the service in relation to safeguarding and the completion of pre assessments for people prior to their admission. We identified 1 breach of legal regulation in relation to good governance. We were not assured the provider had effective monitoring and oversight of people's care records and risk management. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to our concerns.

Chelmsford Care Centre is a nursing home providing accommodation with nursing care and treatment disease and disorder to up to 70 older people, those with dementia, a physical disability and sensory impairment. At the time of the inspection there were 26 people living at the service, the majority of people were living with dementia. The building was purpose built over 3 floors, but people were accommodated on the ground floor in two units called Garden and Lillibet.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People and their relatives were very positive about using the service and feedback from them was good.

Suitable arrangements were in place to keep people safe. Policies and procedures were followed by staff to safeguard people and staff understood these procedures. Risks to people were identified and managed to prevent people from receiving unsafe care and support.

Medicine arrangements ensured people received their medicines as prescribed. People were protected by the provider's arrangements for the prevention and control of infection.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were recruited safely. Suitable checks were undertaken to ensure the right staff were employed to care for people. Arrangements were in place for learning and making improvements.

Suitable arrangements were in place for staff to receive a robust induction, appropriate training, and regular supervision. People’s dining experience was positive, and their nutrition and hydration needs were met. The service ensured people received appropriate healthcare support from healthcare services. The service worked together with professionals and other organisations to ensure people received coordinated care and support.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were treated with care, kindness, dignity, and respect. People received care and support that met their needs and preferences. Staff had a good knowledge and understanding of people's specific care and support needs, how they wished to be cared for and supported. The rapport between staff and people using the service was positive.

People had a plan of their care describing their specific needs, wishes and preferences. Information about people such as the story of their life, their experiences and personalities had been reviewed and updated.

Activities and events were provided by the staff to meet people’s social and leisure needs and to reduce isolation. Systems were in place to ensure people were cared for at the end of their life.

Complaints were investigated and managed. People and their relatives were involved in people’s care arrangements. Robust systems were in place for the oversight of the service and to monitor the quality of the care provided.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

This service was registered with us on 10 November 2022, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The overall rating for the service is good based on the findings of this inspection.

Chelmsford Care Centre Ltd

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

During an assessment under our new approach

25 September 2023

During a routine inspection