Deneside Court

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 30 September 2025. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Date of assessment: 23 June 2025 to 5 August 2025. Deneside Court is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for people with complex needs, including those with a learning disability or autistic people, mental health condition, older people, physical disability or people living with dementia. It is registered to accommodate up to 40 people. At the time of the assessment there were 39 people residing at the home.

At the last inspection in February 2022, we rated the home overall good, with a rating of requires improvement in the safe domain. We made a recommendation the provider review medicines administration when given covertly or ‘when required.’ At this inspection we found changes had been made. This assessment was undertaken due to the receipt of information of concern in relation to a number of safeguarding matters. The service remains good overall.

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

The service had sufficient numbers of staff to support people and assist with their care needs. Where people required 1:1 support this was provided. The home was maintained in a clean and tidy manner. Some areas of the home would benefit from redecoration and a programme of updating was in place. Medicines were managed through an electronic system and were administered safely and appropriately. Where people required medicine given via specialist equipment or covertly this was done in line with prescribed guidance. There was limited evidence that lessons were always learned when things went wrong. Whilst some staff had regular supervisions, not all staff had received this appropriately and there was a known issues with yearly appraisals.

Safeguarding events were recorded, and action taken to ensure the local authority and CQC were informed. It was not always clear from records that lessons were learned from such incidents.

People’s needs were assessed prior to them coming to live at the home and care plans were reviewed and updated. Relatives told us they and the people living at the home, were involved in reviews. However, this was not always demonstrated in documentation. Care plans reflected professional guidance, particularly around the use of specialist equipment. Where people did not have the capacity to consent to care and support, best interests decisions had been taken. However, this practice was not consistently applied.

People were supported to have choice and control in their daily lives, as far as possible. Families and friends were able to visit at any time and people could go out in the community. People and relatives said they could raise concerns, and they would be listened to and addressed. People told us they were happy living at the home and liked the staff.

Staff told us there was a clear culture of supporting people and helping them to live their best possible life. They felt well supported by the manager and other senior staff at the home. The home had a strong culture of supporting equity and cultural inclusion. Professionals told us the home worked in partnership with a range of other services. Whilst there were some audit processes in place these were not comprehensive.