- Care home
Abbey Dean
Assessment report published 23 July 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 28 April 2026.
Abbey Dean is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to people living with dementia and older people. This assessment was carried out due to the age of the previous rating.
People were receiving a good quality of care from a knowledgeable and compassionate staff team who had received comprehensive training to fulfil their roles and who had regular supervision. The provider placed importance on staff wellbeing which helped motivate the team to provide people with consistently good care.
Staff knew the people they were supporting well and where needed escalated concerns about changes in their health quickly seeking advice from professionals to ensure people received the appropriate support when they needed it. People’s conditions and outcomes were monitored effectively, and they had the equipment needed in place to support them.
People’s medicines were administered safely and managed by staff who had a high level of knowledge about their specific needs. Staff knew how to report concerns, and They were monitored to ensure they stayed compliant.
Staff provided care in an engaging person-centred way and understood people’s wants, preferences, goals and prioritised their dignity whilst promoting independence.
The home was run by a dedicated registered manager who focused on people’s quality of care and had created an open inclusive culture in which people and staff could raise concerns and share good practice. The registered manager sought people’s feedback and acted to improve their experiences. Staff described the registered manager as supportive and approachable who promoted staff development encouraging growth and ongoing learning in the team. A high level of quality assurance was present, which fed into people’s care staying current and their needs being consistently met.
People's experience of this service
People told us they were happy with the support they received from staff and gave positive feedback about the registered manager. Comments included, “You couldn’t get a better care home than this.” And “They look after us really well, I’m very happy here.”
People said the staff knew what they were doing and seemed to have good training and gave them support in the way they wanted. A person said, “I love it here, I can do what I want for myself and stay independent, and they help me with anything I need.” Another comment was, “The staff are smashing, very gentle and caring.”
People’s wants and preferences were at the centre of their care and drove the support staff provided. They were involved in planning and reviewing their care and where appropriate this involved people’s relatives. A person said, “They ask for my feedback, and check things are still working for me.”
People told us staff always asked for their consent before providing support. Comments included, “They talk me through everything and check if I’m happy to continue.” Staff described how they gained consent from people who didn’t communicate verbally. A staff member said, “People’s body language can tell you if they are happy to be supported, they might nod or give a smile which helps us know if they want us to proceed.”
People said they had a variety of activities they could join in with and give feedback on which then acted on. One person said, “We wanted more animals in the home and they got it arranged.” People explained they looked forward to trips out of the service which were engaging and provided a change of scenery. One person said, “We go out on a minibus to places, it’s great fun.”
People’s relatives spoke about the level of care their loved ones received and being involved in decisions. Comments included, “Staff are pleasant and [registered manager] is very helpful.” And “[Loved one’s name] went out to a flower festival and a fair. Registered manager is great and really approachable, any issues she listens to and sorts it out, and keeps me informed.” Another relative said, “[Loved one’s name] likes it there a lot, staff manage her needs brilliantly.”