The Lodge

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 10 September 2026. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Date of inspection: We visited the service on 6 and 9 July 2026, feedback to the inspection was 29 July 2026.

The Lodge is a residential care home providing support to up to 44 people, living with dementia and/or mental health needs. At the time of our inspection visits, there were 37 people using the service. The service comprises of 2 units which were separate buildings where people were accommodated. The main building was The Lodge where there were 35 people living and The Coach House, which had 2 people using the service. The Coach House provides support to people, for example, to avoid hospital admission or for people who had been admitted to hospital and needed time to readjust following discharge. The Coach House was block contracted from commissioners and provided a service for up to 5 people.

This comprehensive assessment was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service, including the last rating. The last assessment report for this service, where the key questions safe and well led were assessed was published 16 March 2026 and the service was rated requires improvement. We found breaches of regulation relating to safety and governance.

At this assessment, we have found the service is on an improving journey and they were no longer in breach of regulation relating to safe care and treatment. However, further work was needed to improve the rating of the key question safe. There were systems in place to assess and monitor the service provided. These had improved since our last assessment; however, further work was needed to ensure all shortfalls were independently identified and addressed. Some actions were taken immediately as a result of our feedback. There is a repeated breach of regulation relating to governance. The overall rating for this assessment has remained requires improvement.

There were people using the service who had a learning disability, therefore, 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 which most people take for granted. We found people received care and support in accordance with the principles of this guidance.

Systems were in place to reduce the risks of avoidable harm and abuse. However, further work was needed to improve the systems for medicines, infection control and the environment to improve standards.

People’s daily records identified the ‘task based’ support people required but did not always identify interactions and engagement. There was a lack of items in place for people living with dementia to interact with to stimulate their senses to meet their individual needs.

People’s needs were assessed and care plans and risk assessments were in place identifying how people’s needs were to be met safely. These were kept under review. We identified some areas where the guidance provided to staff in the care plans could be improved and we were assured by the registered manager this would be addressed.

People had access to other professionals when needed and appropriate referrals were made when staff were concerned about people’s wellbeing. The outcomes and guidance received from health professionals were documented to ensure people received a consistent service. People’s dietary needs were assessed and met.

There were enough staff working in the service who had received training in their role. Staff were recruited safely.

Although staff were kind and compassionate, further work was needed across the service to demonstrate how people were provided with a caring service at all times.