- Care home
Blythgate Manor
Assessment report published 11 February 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 29 October to 2 December 2025.
Blythgate Manor is a care home providing accommodation, personal and nursing care to a maximum of 60 older people, including people who may live with dementia. At the time of our unannounced visit, 51 people were using the service.
A registered manager was in place. The registered manager is registered with the Commission and is legally responsible to ensure that the service is compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
This was the first inspection of the service.
Blythgate Manor was very well-led. The provider, registered manager and staff team were passionate about people's well-being and went above and beyond to help people achieve their goals and aspirations by building their confidence and breaking down barriers to help them enjoy an improved quality of life.
Relatives and professionals described the personalised care and support that was tailored to people’s individual needs and preferences. Staff showed a strong respect for people's diversity, valuing everyone’s unique identity and needs. The staff team knew people very well and provided support discreetly and with compassion. People were supported to maintain contact with relatives and friends. Staff followed best practice around supporting people with some complex needs due to living with dementia, which led to people retaining their communication skills and identity. The activities co-ordinator ensured people were supported to experience a range of meaningful activities and entertainment.
There was very clear evidence of collaborative working and very good communication with other professionals to help meet people's needs. Relatives and professionals described how people received personalised care and support that was tailored to people’s needs and preferences.
The service was flexible and adapted to people's changing needs and wishes and promoted their independence. There were examples of some significant improvements to the well-being of people due to the care they received. Risks to people had been assessed and care plans were in place to help mitigate risks as far as possible, including when people may be distressed or anxious. Care records were detailed, person-centred and reflected people's care needs.
An extensive programme of refurbishment was taking place, as areas of the home were showing signs of wear and tear. The provider told us they had plans to ensure the environment was better designed to meet the needs of people who may live with dementia or a dementia-related condition including to keep them orientated and informed.
Accidents and incidents were investigated, action taken, and lessons learned. However, we discussed that systems needed to be strengthened to ensure where people received a modified diet, they were served the correct meal to ensure their safety. There were sufficient trained staff who worked with other professionals to ensure people's needs were met in a safe and person-centred way. Staff were attentive and treated people with kindness and compassion. People enjoyed a varied diet. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way.
People's diversity as unique individuals with their own needs was well-respected by staff. The regular staff team knew people well and provided support discreetly and with compassion. People’s privacy was respected, and people were supported to maintain contact with relatives and friends.
The culture of the service was friendly, open and transparent where people's and staff voices were listened to in order to continually improve the quality of care. People, relatives and staff were confident about approaching the registered manager if they needed to. They recognised that their views and feedback were valued and respected and consistently used to support quality service development.
The registered manager and provider were continually developing the service to meet and maximise people's outcomes. Effective auditing systems were in place.
People's experience of this service
Relatives, people and professionals told us how kind, caring and supportive the staff were. People and relatives’ comments included, “I feel quite safe living here, the staff are lovely” and “I think [Name] is safe and very well looked after.” People felt safe with staff support. A professional told us, “There is always a reassuring presence of staff within the home. It feels exceptionally calm, well organised, and most importantly safe.”
We observed most people to be content and relaxed whilst being supported by the staff team. However, we observed not all people were content to be supported with their personal care by male staff members. A person commented, “I don’t mind having 2 male carers helping me, but I am sure plenty do mind, but they cannot speak up about it.” We discussed this with the staff and provider and we were assured it was due to exceptional circumstances on the day.
Relatives and people told us they felt listened to and were consulted when planning and agreeing how care and support should be provided. A relative commented, “The manager listens and responds promptly to feedback.” Staff offered choice and gave people time to respond.
People had access to a wide range of activities and entertainment to support their health and well-being. A person commented, “The activities person comes along to talk to me about what I would like to do.”