Westerley Care Home

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 8 October 2025. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Assessment activity took place between 29 July 2025 and 1 September 2025. We visited the service on 29 July 2025 and 20 August 2025. Westerley Care Home is a residential care home. It provides accommodation with personal care to up to 30 older people, most of whom are living with dementia across 3 floors. At this assessment 26 people were living at the service. This was the first assessment of this service carried out under our single assessment framework. This was an unannounced assessment completed by 2 inspectors and 1 expert by experience following some concerns we had and due to the length of time since our last inspection. We received feedback from 17 staff and 3 professionals. We spoke with 4 people who used the service and 6 relatives. We looked at all quality statements and identified breaches in regulations in relation to good governance, managing risks to people, safeguarding, staffing levels and training.

The registered manager had not ensured people were supported to drink enough fluids, which put them at risk of dehydration. There were not always enough staff at night and only 1 night staff was trained to administer medicines. Staff were trained in safeguarding. However, some struggled to describe their responsibilities, and we found safeguarding referrals had not always been made as required.

People’s needs and preferences were assessed and updated regularly. The registered manager worked well with other professionals and people were supported to access other services as required.

People’s mental capacity assessments demonstrated how they were involved with decisions and staff sought consent from people before providing care.

Staff were kind and respected people’s privacy and dignity. People were supported to maintain their independence and make choices. Staff engaged with people well to support them when they were distressed or to participate in activities.

People’s care was person-centred. Their records included information about their lives and backgrounds as well as their care needs. People and their relatives confirmed they were involved in care planning and were able to give feedback to the service.

The registered manager’s quality monitoring processes were not always effective. Staff did not always feel they were treated well by managers. The registered manager had not ensured there was a positive culture for staff at the service. Whilst feedback from staff was mixed, there was enough to suggest staff did not always feel supported by managers or able to raise concerns.