- Care home
Spring Mount
Assessment report published 30 March 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Dates of assessment 3 February to 26 February 2026, with site visits conducted on 3 and 5 February 2026.
Spring Mount is a residential care home providing support to older people, including those living with dementia. At the time of assessment, 25 people were living in the service. This was carried out in line with CQC’s assessment priorities, because of the age of rating.
We found some improvements had been made at this assessment in effective, caring and responsive practice; however, the provider was previously in breach of egal regulations in relation to the management of medicines and good governance. Improvements were not found at this assessment, and the provider remained in breach of these regulations.
Medicines were not managed safely and governance and oversight required improvement. Audits, risk assessments, medicines management, safeguarding follow-up, and environmental monitoring were not consistently robust. Medicine records lacked sufficient detail, and quality monitoring failed to identify shortfalls or drive improvement. Learning from incidents, accidents, and falls was not consistently embedded into practice, limiting opportunities to reduce risks or improve outcomes. Leadership was committed and knowledgeable but required clearer role clarity, stronger presence, and more effective systems to ensure risks were identified and addressed consistently.
However, staff demonstrated understanding of individual needs, respecting preferences, promoting independence, and engaging people in meaningful activities. Recruitment practices were safe, and staffing levels were sufficient, with trained and skilled staff supporting people safely and responsively. Partnerships with health professionals and the community supported continuity of care, safe transitions, and engagement in broader community life. Safeguarding and infection prevention and control systems were generally understood, and people reported feeling safe. Equality and inclusion were promoted, with staff treating people respectfully and supporting access to care in line with individual needs.
The provider was responsive to the assessment findings and took immediate action to start addressing the shortfalls identified.
We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
People and relatives told us they felt safe, supported, and cared for at Spring Mount. One resident said, “I like it here, I feel safe” and described staff support as reliable, including at night: “I am safe at night, if I get lost, they take me back to my bedroom.”
Relatives also reflected confidence in staff, with 1 relative stating, “[Person] could not be safer,” and another relative reporting that their loved one was, “very happy that they can go outside when they want. There’s always plenty of staff.” While some environmental safety issues were observed, people consistently reported feeling protected and supported.
People experienced effective and flexible care. Meal choices were available and homemade on site, and residents received individualised support where needed. People told us they had choice in activities, and relatives described involvement in care planning. One relative said, “We are much more involved in [person’s] care plan now, we feel listened to.”
Care was delivered with compassion and dignity. Staff were observed being kind, gentle, and engaging, supporting people’s emotional and social wellbeing, including singing, dancing, and one-to-one care at mealtimes.
People and families also reported responsiveness, with 1 relative confirming how staff can speak the same language as their loved one which had “made a massive difference,” and another relative described being able to discuss future care plans as circumstances unfolded.
As part of this assessment, we used the Short Observations Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a structured framework for directly observing and reporting on the quality of care experienced by people who may not be able to describe this themselves. Our observations confirmed staff’s approach was caring and gentle, and people’s views mattered and were listened to.
Overall, residents and relatives felt cared for in a safe, responsive, and compassionate environment. Staff were trusted and accessible, care was personalised, and people were supported to maintain independence and dignity.