Acorn Lodge

Updated 22 January 2026

Dates of assessment 29 January to 02 February 2026. Acorn Lodge is a care home, providing accommodation, nursing and personal care to older people, people living with dementia and/or mental health needs. At the time of our inspection, 43 people were being supported at the service.

Acorn Lodge had made considerable progress since our last inspection in August 2025. Improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, safeguarding, and good governance

Risks to people’s health were now being consistently assessed and managed. Incidents were now all reviewed, investigated and responded to appropriately. Lessons were now learned and shared with staff and if appropriate, concerns were escalated to the local safeguarding team. There had been improvements to the overall governance of the service, the registered manager had increased their oversight of people’s care records to ensure continuity and created additional audits for areas including bedrail safety. New systems of staff handovers and further details in people’s care records improved the overall monitoring of people’s health needs which lead to timely professional input.

There had been ongoing maintenance and improvements to the environment. Effective window restrictors were now in place throughout the service. Health and safety checks were completed and concerns addressed by maintenance personnel or contractors if needed.

Staff received relevant training and supervision, they told us they felt supported at the home. Staff said they felt free to speak up and described a supportive management team who would listen to any concerns they may have.

There were enough staff to support people, staff were kind and respectful. People and relatives spoke positively about staff interactions, we observed the same. Staff understood the need to gain consent from people and their right to decline. Mental capacity assessments were decision specific and where people lack capacity, care was delivered in the least restrictive way.

Staff engaged with professionals and followed their advice. Professionals spoke highly of the service and told us staff knew people very well, followed their advice and reported ongoing or new concerns appropriately.

People, relatives staff and professionals provided positive feedback about the running of the service and the registered manager. They were openly invited to share opinions and concerns which we saw were addressed promptly.

The provider and registered manager demonstrated a willingness for ongoing improvement in the service. They had responded to our previous concerns well and had engaged with external agencies and consultants to sustain improvements and continually grow.

Updated 22 January 2026

People were relaxed with staff; we observed dignified and warm interactions. People told us the staff were kind. Some comments included, “They look after me well.” And, “Look how lovely the staff are.” A relative said, “I think they are excellent. They are so good with [person]. [Person] will cuddle them.”

People told us they felt happy with the social engagement on offer, we observed several lively activity sessions which people enjoyed. The activity sessions were adapted to suit people’s preferences and abilities. A person told us they preferred to stay in their room and said, “I can’t be bothered to do activities, staff try, it’s my choice. The activity lady always checks I’m ok, they pull up a chair for a natter and we watch the news together.”

People told us they had opportunities to feedback on the service. One person said, “I attend all the residents meetings, I can express how I feel.” A relative said, “Yes there are meetings. No, I’ve not gone. My [other relative] attended who said they were useful and asked people’s views.”

People’s relatives told us they were kept informed of any incidents or changes to their loved one’s care. A relative said, “Any bruises they [staff] phone me and tell me. They take photographs.” Another told us, “They have discussed medication and other risks. My views were listened to. [Person] does have a care plan and I believe it is updated. I was consulted when [person] first moved in. The care plan was updated after some falls.”

People were supported to make decisions, such as, where they wished to spend time, eat and drink. A person said, “I make all my own choices I wear what I want, I like wearing my pearls it's a lovely little addition to my outfit.” A relative shared, “[Person] does what they like. When they fidget at night, 1 of the carers will sit with them until [person] falls asleep. When necessary. They’ll get clothes out of the cupboard for [person] and [person] will pick what they can see. Staff shows [person] a picture of the food to pick from.”

People were satisfied with the menu choices available. A person said, “Good food, no complaints.” A relative commented, “The dinners are nice. It’s a proper lunch meal. In the evening, they have sandwiches and soup. If [person] misses lunch they bring it to them in the evening. There is a menu that goes up.”

People and their relatives told us when needed professional input was sought promptly. Some comments included, “When I am unwell, I will let the staff know and they call a nurse or doctor for me.” And, “They [staff] do arrange appointments if [person] needs to go to the hospital. They arrange the transport. They couldn’t get transport once and phoned the hospital who classified it as an emergency and the hospital arranged the transport.”

People and their relatives were generally happy about the way the service was run. Comments included, “I’ve met the manager a couple of times. It seems like a good positive team that certainly ‘can do’. They collaborate very well.” And, “I met the manager once. It was a good interaction. The manager will try to get a physiotherapist (for person) and listened to what I had to say.”