- Care home
The Fernes
This care home is run by two companies: Scarborough Hall Limited and Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited. These two companies have a dual registration and are jointly responsible for the services at the home.
Assessment report published 28 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 16 and 17 September 2026. The Fernes provides accommodation with personal care for up to 52 people. Accommodation is arranged over 3 floors with stair and lift access. At the time of this inspection there were 47 people living at the service. This was a comprehensive inspection, and we reviewed all the quality statements.
Leaders and staff at The Fernes had created an environment where people and their families felt genuinely welcomed, safe, valued and supported. A deeply embedded culture of kindness, compassion and respect was evident throughout the service and consistently reflected in the way people were cared for and engaged with.
Records showed that staff were recruited safely and had the skills and experience required to meet people's needs. Safeguarding procedures were followed, with effective systems in place to identify, manage and respond to concerns. Learning from incidents was recorded and shared with the wider staff team. Staff we spoke with told us they felt confident raising concerns about safety and were assured they would be listened to.
People's needs were assessed and reviewed regularly. Staff worked well with healthcare professionals to monitor outcomes and support people's ongoing health and wellbeing. Risk assessments were in place, and care plans provided clear guidance to help staff manage risks and promote safety. Records confirmed that people received sufficient food and drink to maintain their health and wellbeing.
Medicines were managed safely, and routine safety checks were carried out on the environment and equipment. Fire risks had been assessed and were appropriately managed.
The service was clean, well maintained, and provided a friendly and welcoming environment. We observed positive interactions between people, visitors and staff, who knew the people well.
Effective governance and oversight systems were in place, supported by a range of audits and quality assurance checks. Staff spoke positively about the registered manager and management team, describing them as “open”, “approachable” and “supportive.” One member of staff said, “[Registered manager] and [deputy manager] are both very approachable. You’re not just coming to work here; you’re coming into a family; it’s a good environment to work in.”
People's experience of this service
Without exception, people told us they felt safe living at the service and told us there were enough staff available to meet their needs. Feedback about the staff and the care and support provided was consistently positive. One person said, “The staff are absolutely first class. They care for us and help us with everything.” People and their relatives regularly described staff as “kind”,” respectful,” and “extremely caring.” One person’s relative told us they were “delighted where [relative] is. [They] are safe and well cared for.”
Several people’s relatives told us their family member had improved in some way since living at the service, such as improved mobility, safety or confidence. One person’s relative said, “We came for an initial look around and [relative] was made to feel so welcome. We could see [relative] being there and we could tell [they] would be happy. [Relative] is much more confident now.”
Staff supported people to make choices about their care. The provider sought feedback through regular meetings and surveys, helping people and their relatives to influence service development. Activities staff were in post and provided a wide and varied programme of meaningful social and recreational activities that people had chosen to do. People’s cultural and spiritual needs were met.
People told us they received enough food and drink and spoke positively about the quality of meals. They said their feedback was sought; their preferences were respected and that a range of choices was available. People told us they were supported to attend hospital and healthcare appointments when needed.
During the inspection, we observed staff interacting with people in a caring, respectful and considerate manner. The service had a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, which was frequently referred to during feedback from people and their family members. One person said, “I came here for respite but I'm going to stay permanently. I have found the staff amazing. They are helping me have so much more confidence. I'm happier realising I need that extra care and time to help me live better. The staff don’t hurry me, so I feel safe and can do what I need to do in my own time.”