Oak Cottage

Oak Cottage is a residential care home in Hertfordshire providing personal care for up to 25 people, including those living with dementia and mental health support needs. The CQC rated the home Inadequate overall and has placed it in special measures, taking enforcement action against the provider. Inspectors found six breaches of regulations, including person-centred care, staffing, consent, safeguarding, premises and governance, several of them continuing from the previous assessment.

Risks to people were not properly assessed or reviewed, staff training was incomplete, and safeguarding systems were ineffective. Families and residents described staff as kind, caring and approachable, though some raised concerns about staffing levels and limited meaningful time with residents. The CQC found the provider's oversight had failed to identify or address these serious shortfalls.