- Care home
Safe Harbour Dementia Care Home
Assessment report published 6 August 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
We assessed this service on 30 July 2026. Safe Harbour Dementia Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for older people, many of whom were living with dementia, frailty and complex health needs. This was a planned assessment in line with our current priorities.
People and relatives consistently told us they felt safe living at the home. Comments included that staff were kind, responsive and willing to go "above and beyond" to support people, particularly during periods of ill health and when providing end of life care. We observed positive and respectful interactions between people and staff, and saw people were supported by staff who understood their needs, preferences and life histories.
Care plans contained detailed, person-centred information and demonstrated involvement from a range of health and social care professionals. Staff supported people to maintain their health and wellbeing, including monitoring nutritional needs, long-term health conditions and changes in people's health.
There were enough trained and competent staff available to meet people's needs. Staff spoke positively about the culture of the service and told us the management team were approachable and supportive.
Medicines were managed safely, with appropriate storage, monitoring and auditing arrangements in place. The environment was clean, tidy and free from unpleasant odours, and infection prevention and control practices were effective. While we identified some minor environmental issues and a small recording issue within medicines documentation, the registered manager took immediate action to address these.
Governance and oversight arrangements were strong, with extensive auditing systems, regular meetings, daily huddles and evidence of learning from incidents and feedback. The service demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement, community engagement and partnership working, including supporting families living with dementia and sharing good practice across the wider care sector.
Although some care records contained duplication and occasional inconsistencies between summary information and review records, risks were identified and managed appropriately.
Overall, people received safe care from a staff team that was committed to achieving positive outcomes and maintaining a warm, person-centred culture.
People's experience of this service
People and their relatives spoke very positively about their experiences of living at Safe Harbour. People told us they felt safe, supported and cared for by staff who knew them well. A person told us, “Staff will do anything for me” and described being “Welcomed with open arms” when they first moved into the home. Another person said, “Yes, I think I feel safe here,” while relatives consistently told us they felt their family members were safe and well cared for.
Relatives described the positive impact the service had on both their family member or friend and themselves. A relative told us, “My stress has been lifted” since their family member moved into the home and praised staff as “Absolutely brilliant.” Another relative said staff were “Lovely and kind,” while a friend of a person living at the home told us, “Nothing is too much trouble.” A healthcare professional also spoke highly of the service and told us staff went particularly when supporting people at the end of their lives and that they would recommend the home to others.
People were supported to remain active and engaged. We saw a wide range of activities designed around people’s preferences and interests, including themed events, music sessions and celebrations. The service was exceptionally good at ensuring activities were person centred and focused on what was important to people. Relatives spoke positively about receiving photographs and videos of their family member or friend participating in activities, which provided reassurance and demonstrated how well people had settled into the home. During our visit, we observed people singing, dancing and engaging with staff and one another.
People enjoyed the food provided. We observed lunchtime experiences in different areas of the home and saw people being supported respectfully where required. Meals looked appetising and people appeared comfortable and relaxed during mealtimes. A person commented positively on their meal, and another told us they enjoyed treats and desserts. Where people preferred alternatives, staff could offer additional choices to meet individual preferences.
Our observations were consistent with the feedback received. Interactions between staff and people were warm, respectful and person-centred. Staff took time to engage with people, understood their communication needs and encouraged participation in daily life. Throughout the inspection, there was a calm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere where people appeared comfortable, relaxed and well supported.