- Care home
Dovecote View Chichester
Assessment report published 10 August 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
About the service
Dovecote View Chichester is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 35 people. At the time of our assessment, 27 people were living at the service.
Who the service is for
The service supports older people including people living with dementia and people with physical health needs.
Key findings
We carried out this assessment on 14 July 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.
People told us they felt safe living at the service. Relatives spoke positively about the care and support provided. We observed staff speaking with people respectfully, offering reassurance and taking time to support people at their own pace. Staff knew people well and understood their individual risks, including risks associated with mobility, falls, nutrition, choking and medicines. Medicines were managed safely and the environment was clean, well maintained and free from hazards.
People were supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff told us they received training, supervision and support. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and staff were visible and responsive during the assessment.
People’s needs were assessed and reviewed. Staff worked with healthcare professionals when people’s needs changed and followed advice where required. Visiting healthcare professionals spoke positively about the communication and responsiveness of staff and told us staff acted promptly when health concerns were identified.
People received care that was personalised to their needs, routines and preferences. People and relatives were involved in reviews, and staff gave examples of changes made following feedback. Staff were exceptional in their support pf people to maintain their independence, spend time with relatives and take part in activities that were meaningful to them.
Staff described a positive culture at the service and told us managers were approachable and supportive. One staff member told us, “I never feel like I’m being ignored. I feel confident to be able to raise a concern to my managers and action is usually taken from this.” There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service, including oversight of care plans, accidents and incidents, medicines, staff training, recruitment and environmental checks.
People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. Staff and management worked within the principles of the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions and had choice, control and freedom over their lives.
People's experience of this service
People told us they had a positive experience of living at Dovecote View Chichester and felt safe, comfortable and well cared for. Relatives also spoke positively about the care and support provided. One person told us, “I think the home is nice and I feel safe here and I get everything that I need.” A relative told us, “I absolutely feel [person] is safe at the home. I know who I would speak to if I had any concerns.”
During our visit, the atmosphere in the home was calm and welcoming. People appeared relaxed in communal areas, and staff were visible and responsive. We observed staff speaking with people respectfully, offering reassurance and supporting people at their own pace. Staff understood people's individual needs, routines and preferences and adapted their support accordingly. Some people were unable to fully share their views with us. We understood their experiences through observation and by speaking with relatives and staff who knew them well.
People and relatives consistently described staff as kind, patient and caring. One relative told us, “[Person] always says how lovely the staff are. Staff are patient and take their time when speaking with her. I have seen a staff member kneel beside people when offering drinks, so they do not have to look up at him.” This showed staff understood the importance of dignity, respect and communication.
People were offered choice and control in their daily lives. A relative told us, “[Person] is offered choice and staff seek her agreement before providing support. Even when she asks for something unusual or difficult, staff listen and consider how it can be achieved rather than dismissing her wishes.” People told us they were offered choices about food, drinks, activities and how they spent their time.
People were supported to maintain relationships and take part in activities that were meaningful to them. One person told us staff supported them to attend chapel in Chichester and had taken them shopping. Another person told us they enjoyed activities at the service and said staff, “Do exactly what we ask.” People had a positive experience of care from staff who supported their choice, dignity, independence and wellbeing.