- Care home
Chataway Care Home
Assessment report published 7 August 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
We carried out this assessment on 7 and 9 July 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.
A culture of openness and transparency supported people’s safety, by ensuring any were assessed and regularly reviewed. Where incidents or accidents did occur, such as a person falling, these were reflected upon to ensure any lessons were learnt, and measures to mitigate potential risk were followed. Records evidenced there were very few incidents or accidents at the service, and no safeguarding concerns had been reported. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the principles of safeguarding and the importance of raising any concerns.
Staff consistently spoke well of the service, which demonstrated the openness and commitment of staff in working collectively to achieve good outcomes for people. A member of staff told us “It’s a privilege to work in the home and with people who work as a team. Another member of staff said, “Team members are really supportive, they are an amazing team.”
People were supported by a consistent team of staff, employed in sufficient numbers to meet people’s needs. Staff had undergone a robust recruitment process and had the necessary skills and knowledge to provide good quality and safe care. Staff received ongoing support through continuous training, assessment of their competence, and regular supervision and appraisal. Staff spoke positively of the training, a member of staff told us, “I’m very happy with the provision of training.”
Records and our observations demonstrated the environment and systems such as fire safety and gas were well-maintained.
Safe systems and practices for the management and administration of medicine were in place, including auditing, which promoted people’s safety, health and well-being.
Assessments of people’s needs were comprehensive and used to develop tailored care plans. Assessment tools were used to determine key areas of risk, including skin integrity, hydration and nutrition. People’s care was kept under review and any changes were recorded, and where appropriate referrals were made to relevant health and social care professionals.
People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. A DoLS authorisation had been appropriately applied for, which didn’t contain any conditions. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice, control and freedom over their lives.
Care records, including daily notes and care plans emphasised the importance of staff upholding people’s dignity and respect. Staff had access to information to enable them to fully understand people’s needs, including information as to their background, including work and family life. This enabled staff to better understand what was important to people and provide person-centred care. Staff recognised the importance of encouraging and collaborating with people to maintain their independence. Care plans detailed what a person could do themselves, and areas in which support was required.
Care records evidenced people accessed a range of health care services, and where appropriate family members supported with attending appointments.
Systems and processes were in place to provide feedback about the service, including complaints and concerns. No complaints had been raised. The registered manager was highly visible within the service, spending time with both people and staff, which provided opportunities for them to receive feedback, including family members when they visited.
The provider had a clear shared vision and strategy, and the service was well supported by the registered manager and staff team. Systems and processes were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.
The registered manager collaborated with people, their family members, and staff to build a culture which focused on providing good quality and person-centred care. A member of staff told us, “[Registered manager] is always involving families and communicating with them. Always updating and keeping people informed and asking them for their views.” Staff consistently referred to the registered manager as ‘supportive,’ ‘a good communicator,’ ‘responsive’ and’ fantastic'.
People's experience of this service
People and family members told us they would recommend the service. A person said, “I would recommend the home if I was asked. 10/10, I’m very happy here.” Another person said, I would certainly recommend the home, it’s well run, I want to die here it’s lovely, 10/10.” A family member said, “I would recommend it, if you can get it, there’s a long waiting list, 10/10.” A second family member said, “We did recommend it, but there weren’t any spaces available. I can’t think of anything to improve there 10/10, I wouldn’t want [my relative] anywhere else.”
People told us they felt safe at Chataway Care Home. A person told us, “I feel more than safe, staff come at night every 2 hours to make sure I’m okay. Family members spoke of their confidence in the service to keep their relative safe, which included measures taken to mitigate risk. A family member said, “Yes, [my relative] is safe, I chose it for safety, [relative] needs someone with them, and because its small they are able to watch them. Safety is a big thing for me. There is a sensor mat, and they haven’t fallen, unlike when they lived at home.”
We received positive comments about the ability of staff to respond to people in a timely manner, to meet their needs and keep them safe. A person told us, “I only have to press my buzzer and staff are here, if I press the red buzzer, it’s even quicker. I’ve never had a fall; staff are always with me or nearby.” Another person said, “I have a bell in my room I don’t need to use it very much because staff are always popping in.” A member of staff was always present in the lounge where most people spent their day, we observed staff interacting with people and supporting them in what was important to them. For example, a person had had their hair coloured, which the staff member had done for them and had spent time in styling their hair, with everyone telling the person how good it looked.
Family members were kept informed and were involved in any decisions relating to their relative’s care, which included any involvement from external health professionals. A family member told us, “I have Lasting Power of Attorney, and my relative has seen the optician recently, has a chiropodist visit regularly.” A second family member said, “The G.P. spoke with me about changes to my relative’s medication.” Family members were aware their relative had a care plan, and most family members told us the registered manager sought their views when any changes were noted. A relative told us, “They updated [relative’s] care plan in December, staff always keep my updated, and ring if it’s important.” Family members confirmed they had recorded their wishes as to their relative’s care in the future, including decisions relating to end of life care.
People, and their family members praised the homeliness of the service, which for many the small size of the service, and the intimacy this facilitated between people and staff was a key factor in choosing Chataway Care Home. A person told us, “I used to live nearby, my children helped me choose it. It was the right choice, I’m very happy here.” A family member said, “For me, the service is small and friendly and more like home, there’s nothing nearer to living at home than here.” A second family member said, “It’s just a friendly environment, a lovely vibe about the place, they are all happy there.”
Staff were praised by people and family members for their kind and caring approach, and for their knowledge as to people’s needs. A person told us, “Staff are very kind, I couldn’t ask for better.” A family member said, “Staff sit with [relative] and put their arms around them when they’re upset.” Another family member said, “Staff are always jolly with [relative] and make them laugh. The staff play dominoes with [relative].
People and family members spoke positively about the meals provided. A person told us, “The food is brilliant you can’t fault it. I’m having Shepherds Pie today.” We observed staff were proactive in encouraging people to drink, as at the time of the inspection temperatures were very high due to the weather. A family member told us, “Staff gave [relative] loads of drinks and cold flannels when it’s very hot.”
People’s sensory and communication needs were known to staff, along with measures to provide support and encourage independence and choice. We observed how staff supported a person with impaired vision at lunchtime. Staff informed the person what the meal was, and the location of it by describing it as a face of a clock. A family member spoke of how staff supported their relative to make choices about the meals. They told us, “The food itself is lovely, they struggled to eat so they give them a little, often. Staff show them the food on a plate or use pictures, to help them decide.”
Family members confirmed they knew how to raise a complaint. However, all we spoke with told us they had not had cause to raise a concern, with some family members confirming they had provided feedback via a survey. A family member said, “I’ve never complained, never needed to. I did complete a questionnaire a few months ago.” Another family members told us, “No complaints made at all, I left a review on their website.”
People and family members expressed confidence in the registered manager. A person told us, “[Manager’s name] is a very good manager, she’s always good to me. It’s very well run here, everything is fine.” A second person said, “I feel it’s very well run; the manager is very efficient.” A family member said. “[Manager’s name] is fantastic, amazing, incredibly supportive, and keeps me updated always.” Another family member told us, “I think [manager’s name] is an absolute asset, never goes home, and residents love her.”