- Care home
Highfield Care Home
Assessment report published 28 October 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 24 September to 1 October 2025. The service is a residential home providing support to adults of all ages and people living with dementia. The home is registered for 66 people. At the time of our inspection there were 35 people living at the home.
Staff had received training in safeguarding people from abuse and understood their responsibilities. Staff understood how to support people in a way that ensured risks were managed, whilst respecting people’s choices and individuality. There were sufficient staff deployed, and staff received the training and support they needed to undertake their roles effectively. On the first day of our inspection, we found medicines were managed and administered safely on one of the homes units but not always on the other. The registered manager responded immediately to areas of concern identified. Action was taken during the first day of our inspection to increase oversight and put in extra checks and systems to immediately respond to our findings. They were robust, very detailed and covered all areas of concern found during inspection.
Detailed assessments were completed with people, and their relatives, prior to people starting to use the service. Care records were regularly reviewed with people and updated when needed. Records included information about people’s health conditions, and staff worked well with health and social care professionals. Assessments of people’s capacity, and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications were made where required.
There was an extremely friendly and relaxed atmosphere throughout the home. We observed staff supported people in an unhurried and respectful way. Staff were very friendly, polite and pleasant. They treated people with empathy and compassion and spoke fondly about the people they supported. People’s individuality and personal, cultural, social and religious needs were understood, valued and respected.
People’s individual communication systems and styles were respected and valued. Staff involved people in decisions about their care. The home was purpose built, with wide spacious communal areas and easy access to all parts of the home. Staff completed training in equality and diversity to understand and reduce inequalities or prejudices that affected outcomes for people. There was an inclusive and welcoming culture.
The management team had a culture of openness with staff, people, relatives and other professionals. There was a strong commitment to person-centered care and support, that valued and respected people as individuals. They understood their role and were very committed to leading by example and ensuring people who lived there were at the heart of all decisions. The provider and registered manager had good oversight of the service. The registered manager had a systematic and evidence-based approach to learning, development, evaluation and continuous improvement of the service.
People's experience of this service
People spoke positively about Highfield Care Home and the staff supporting them. A relative told us, “I would recommend it very highly. I would say you couldn’t do any better than putting your relative here. The staff are wonderful and supportive, including the cleaners and the laundry staff, everyone is amazing.”
People told us they felt safe, and staff were well trained. Comments included, “I do feel safe, they look after me well, the carers are pretty good and very kind” and “Yes, I think they are very good. Everyone seems to know what their job is and what they need to be doing. Each staff member seems to know their position and what they can do for you or who can help you. It’s very good.”
People were positive about the food on offer. A person said, “The food is very good, the quality is very good. You get a decent choice; you get three types to choose from. The chef comes around at least once a day and asks if you like the food.” Relatives told us they were made to feel welcome. They said, “It’s very nice here, you and the residents can help yourself to cake and drinks. It makes you feel welcome” and “They (staff) make you feel part of it and make you feel like you don’t want to leave. I can’t think of anything at all that can be improved.”
People told us the staff were nice, caring, kind and helpful and that they trusted them. They said, “[Staff] are kind and always willing to help, which is so nice” and “The staff are so nice and so helpful. They do listen to you and talk to you.”
People knew how to raise any concerns. They said, “Everyone is very friendly, supportive and respectful. I have never had any problems at all” and “I haven’t had any problems; I have been spoilt.” People told us staff knew them well and they were very positive about the activities on offer, both within the home and in the wider community. A relative said, “It’s amazing here, they are so good. I think they want the best for [person] and me. They are very kind supportive and caring.”
People were positive about the registered manager and the way the home was run and organised. They said, “I know the manager, he is brilliant. He is very kind and attentive” and “I think it is well led, and the manager is very good.”