- Homecare service
Sandy Mount
Assessment report published 26 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Sandy Mount is a purpose built 41-apartment complex, extra care facility providing flexible care and support to meet people's needs. It has communal facilities including a lounge, activity room, therapy suite, kitchen, dining room and landscaped gardens. There were people living in 20 apartments receiving a regulated activity at the time of our assessment
We carried out this assessment on 7 and 23 September 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.
People were supported by a consistent and skilled staff team, who knew them well. We observed kind and caring interactions and a genuine focus on meaningful relationships. Recruitment was managed safely and staff received high-quality induction, supervision, and training.
The building had extensive grounds, that were safe and well maintained. Medicines were managed safely. There were clear processes in place to manage safeguarding events.
Risks to people’s health, safety and wellbeing were assessed and regularly reviewed.
People’s needs were assessed before they started to use the service. Processes were in place to evidence people’s care and support was monitored. As a result, we saw people’s health and wellbeing had improved and their independence increased. Processes were in place to ensure people had equity in outcomes. Care plans highlighted people’s diverse needs, preferences and aspirations. The management team and staff demonstrated a strong commitment to person-centred support and care and improving outcomes and opportunities for people. The provider had a clear shared vision and strategy, and the service was well supported by the registered manager and wider quality team. There was a robust programme of audits and checks, any shortfalls were addressed promptly. Complaints were investigated and recorded; however, we found no evidence that written responses had been provided to complainants or that learning from complaints had been shared with those who raised them. The registered manager told us verbal feedback was provided and put in place a plan to ensure all complaints will be responded to in writing in the future. There was a strong sense of teamwork. Comments included, “I find working for sandy mount a positive and great experience, I enjoy supporting the people in our care” and “I love working here I feel like this is where I will work forever, I feel proud of the work I do, and the support I give to people. I find my job very rewarding. “
People's experience of this service
People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring, although some commented some staff are more caring than others. Comments included, “They [staff] are very good there’s no problems the staff do everything possible to ensure I have the best quality of life I can.” “I have full peace of mind knowing [name of person] is safe, I have no concerns, I couldn’t ask for more.”
People’s routines were dictated by them. People had their own apartments, which were decorated and gave you a real feel for the person when you entered. They also had the opportunity to socialise together and have shared experiences and activities in communal areas.
Our observations confirmed staff’s approach was empowering, people’s views mattered and they were listened to and included. The service had an outside local community-based project providing lunch and activities within the building every Friday and all people could attend as well as the local community. There were regular meetings between people and staff where people could discuss their care and support, any changes, and their future aspirations. Most relatives told us they felt included and respected by staff and the management team. The service was responsive when people’s needs changed. Comments included, “There is good communication from the staff, they always tell me if [name of person] needs anything,” And “Sandy Mount puts on lots of activities there’s always something going on like the coffee morning once a month,” and “They always keep me up to date with everything even if it’s a tiny scratch they tell me they are very transparent.” People told us they led full and active lives. This included pursuing hobbies of their choice. People told us they felt safe and respected and this was reflected in our conversations and observations. We observed staff seeking consent from people before providing support and assistance, staff we spoke to showed good knowledge and had received training around consent and capacity. However, when we started our assessment, the registered manager told us all people using the service had capacity and we reviewed evidence that did not support this statement. We found although people could consent to daily activities and tasks, they may lack capacity and require support to make more in depth decisions and this information was not reflected in people’s care plans. The registered manager acknowledged this feedback and put in place an action plan to review and update if appropriate people’s care plans around consent and capacity.