• Care Home
  • Care home

The Oast

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

2 Plains Avenue, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 7AT (01622) 752969

Provided and run by:
Charing Oast Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See old profile

Latest inspection summary

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Our current view of the service

Good

Updated 5 May 2026

Date of Assessment 9 June to 20th June 2026. [KW1.1][KM1.2]The Oast is a care home providing accommodation for up to 28 people and at the time of our inspection was supporting 27 people.

The service was previously rated Good. Following our inspection this has remained Good.

We found that staff were caring and knew the people who lived there. The service was hygienic and in good condition, though we did raise some concerns regarding the cleanliness of the kitchen which was quickly resolved. People’s rooms were personalised and people were supported in ways that suited them. Staff were seen to be attentive and treated people with dignity and respect. The service was supported daily through district nurses who provided clinical support to people who needed it and were able to provide advice and support to staff.

Incidents and accidents were reported, analysed and where trends had been recognised staff had made changes to reduce risk. The registered manager was capable and compassionate, and this was reflected in what we saw and what staff told us. People were given choices of meals including vegetarian options if they desire and they were prepared according to people’s dietary requirements.

The service had an activities co-ordinator responsible for weekday activities such as games or themed days.

Not all staff were clear on who was responsible for ensuring food met people’s dietary requirements however this was immediately resolved by the registered manager. Care plans were not always person centred however we saw that staff knew people well and provided care that was person centred and treated people with dignity and respect.


 

People's experience of the service

Updated 5 May 2026

People were positive about the care they received and how the service was managed. People said they felt safe living at this service “Yes Its wonderful I would not manage without them they keep me safe and well.” They told us that they received food and snacks throughout the day and that the food was good. They felt that staff were kind and that they had time to spend with them. They felt there was good communication between people and the service and that if they needed to raise a concern, they would be listened to. One person told us “Definitely all the staff from the cleaners to the Manager are great they are quick to respond to mums increasing needs there is a good staff ratio. I don’t believe my mum would still be here if it wasn’t for this place, when we take her out she is always happy to come home. I would recommend this place to other people and often do”.