Higher Park Lodge

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 16 April 2026. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Date of Assessment: 14 to 22 January 2026. We visited Higher Park Lodge on 14, 19 and 20 January 2026. The service was supporting 28 people at the time of our assessment, of a possible 34 places provided by the home. The service is a residential service providing support to older people some of whom were living with dementia.

We assessed 22 Quality Statements under the 4 Key Questions of: Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well Led. Our overall rating for this service is Requires Improvement.

The provider was previously in breach of 7 legal regulations relating to the maintenance of the premises and equipment in the home, the governance of the service, the staffing of the service,​ the safe recruitment of staff, person-centred care, safe care and treatment, and failing to maintain people’s dignity.

Improvements were found at this assessment, and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations relating to the staffing of the service, the safe recruitment of staff, safe care and treatment, and the failure to maintain people’s dignity. However, the provider remained in breach of 3 legal regulations: the maintenance of the premises and equipment in the home, person centred care, and the governance and oversight of the service.

The facilities and equipment in the home were now clean, and an organised cleaning team was effectively maintaining the cleanliness of the home. Some improvements had been made to the quality of the service’s décor and furnishings and people were now safe within the building. However, there remained significant issues still to be addressed in the furnishings and fittings within the building.

People were protected and kept safe. The service risk assessed people’s needs and acted when needed. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication and health needs. However, peoples social, and emotional needs, and for stimulating activities continued to not be assessed, planned for, or adequately delivered.

This assessment found there were enough staff with the experience to meet people’s needs. Staff received training and regular supervision and appraisals. Required training was being received by the staff. However, there were areas where training needed to improve, such as how to support people with dementia.

Care was now delivered to an adequate standard. This included, the necessary regular assessment of peoples’ needs, regular measurement of weight, the planning of peoples’ personal care needs, and the effective recording of people’s personal care.

People had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. However, people were not always treated as individuals, choice was not always offered to people, and their preferences were not always known or respected. Though people were able to take part in some activities, some people said they were not being supported to do what they wanted. For example, going out of the building.

The service worked with all agencies involved in people’s care to ensure smooth transitions when moving between services. Leaders in the home were aware they needed to develop: the skills of both staff and managers, and the service’s approach to dementia care, to effectively meet peoples’ needs.