Larkswood

Updated 18 April 2024

Larkswood is a residential care home. At the previous inspection we had concerns about safety and leadership at the home and we rated the home requires improvement in Safe and Well Led. At this assessment we have found improvement. Staff were now following infection control guidance and the staffing levels had improved. The home was tidy and clean. We saw there were now enough staff to support people safely. Staff were well supported by the manager and people were consulted on their care at regular residents’ meetings. Staff were caring and we saw friendly interactions between people and staff. At the previous inspection the manager was in the process of registering with CQC, at this assessment that has not changed. We began the assessment for this service on Tuesday 14 May 2024.

Updated 18 April 2024

People told us they felt safe and happy at the home. Staff were caring and there were enough staff to respond in a timely way when people needed them. People told us the food was good and they were supported to have choice, to have relatives visit, and to go out with their families if they wanted to. People knew the manager well and told us they would complain if they needed to, when we asked if there was anything they would change a person told us, “Not really. I tend to tell them, I’m not frightened to say. There’re some very good carers here.” Some relatives felt there needed to be more activities for people, and more support from staff when people had healthcare appointments. A relative said “There’s not much cooperation. I have to take him to appointments otherwise they’d cancel them, and they don’t listen to what I say about the activities.” The manager told us there were changes planned for activities at the home. We saw friendly staff and happy people during our visit. People told us staff were usually prompt when needed and always polite, a person told us “I hope I’m not a nuisance. They tell me off when I apologise for asking for something, they say, ‘that’s why we’re here.’’ Most people felt there were enough staff although there could be busy times. People and their relatives knew the manager and were confident they could raise any concerns. The manager said their door was always open and a person told us that while they knew who to complaint to, “ There are no problems. I’m happy all the time I’ve been here."