Hardwick Dene

Updated 12 June 2026

Date of inspection: 25 June 2026 to 7 July 2026.

This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection carried out between 25 June 2026 and 7 July 2026 by 2 Adult Social Care Inspectors and a Medicines Inspector. We carried out this inspection in response to concerns we had received about the service and because it had not been inspected for some time.

Hardwick Dene is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 50 people. At the time of the inspection, 43 people were living at the service. The service had a registered manager, supported by 2 deputy managers, senior care staff and a Director of Care and Governance. Arrangements were in place to ensure there was a management presence within the service each day.

The inspection identified concerns relating to risk management, clinical oversight, care planning, medicines management, record keeping and governance. People's risks were not always effectively assessed, monitored or managed, and care records did not consistently reflect people's needs, known risks or the care they had received. We also identified concerns relating to wound management, the management of long-term health conditions, falls management, end of life care planning and medicines oversight. These issues had not been consistently identified or addressed through the provider's governance arrangements.

Following feedback during the inspection, the provider engaged positively with the inspection process and took prompt action to address the concerns identified. This included reviewing care records, introducing additional monitoring tools and strengthening management oversight. Although we found evidence that some improvements had been implemented during the inspection period, they had not yet become fully embedded in practice and further work was required to demonstrate sustained improvement.

We identified 2 breaches of regulation during this inspection. We have asked the provider to submit an action plan setting out how they will address the concerns identified and achieve sustained compliance.

Updated 12 June 2026

People and their relatives were largely positive about the care and support provided at Hardwick Dene. Relatives consistently described staff as kind, caring and compassionate and told us their family members were treated with dignity and respect. Several relatives told us staff knew people well and took time to understand their individual needs, preferences and routines.

We received positive feedback from relatives during the inspection. Relatives told us they felt able to approach staff and management with concerns and were kept informed about important issues relating to their family members. One relative described the service as being "like a family", while others told us they would recommend the home to others.

People who were able to speak with us told us they generally felt comfortable living at the service and spoke positively about the staff who supported them. Throughout the inspection, we observed warm and caring interactions between staff and people living at the home. Staff were seen speaking with people in a respectful manner and offering reassurance and support when required.