Blenheim Lodge

Who the service is for

The home specialises in the care of older people.

Key findings

We carried out this assessment on 12 August 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.

People were cared for safely by staff who had received appropriate training to meet their needs. Staff and people knew how to report any concerns and staff said any issues raised would be thoroughly investigated to maintain people’s safety.

The registered manager used feedback and concerns to continually improve the support provided to people. Learning from incidents was shared with staff so changes became embedded into practice.

The environment and equipment were well maintained to ensure the safety of people and staff. During our visit we identified 1 area of the environment which could potentially place people at risk. The registered manager acted promptly, in consultation with people, to reduce the risk.

Medicines were safely administered by staff who had received specific training to carry out the role. Medication administration records were well completed and clearly showed when medicines were administered or refused.

People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen.

People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice, control and freedom over their lives. One member of staff told us, “We assume capacity for everyone. People have the right to make choices and take risks.” Where people were assessed to lack capacity in a specific area, records showed how decisions had been made and how people and those important to them, had been consulted.

People had their needs assessed before they moved to the home. Health and social care professionals said the staff worked well with them to make sure people’s needs could be met.

Staff had an excellent knowledge of the people they supported. Staff told us care plans and regular handover meetings gave them the information they needed to effectively support people and respond to changing needs or wishes.

Care plans were personalised which helped to make sure care was provided in accordance with people’s individual needs and preferences.

Throughout our visit we observed kind and caring interactions between people and staff.

People were encouraged to maintain their independence and continue to socialise with friends and family. Activity staff were employed to help people to continue to take part in activities and hobbies which interested them.

The care home was well led by a registered manager who was passionate about providing high quality care to people. The registered manager was supported by a staff team who took on champion roles such as safeguarding, health and safety, end of life and medication. This helped to make sure all areas were positively promoted and monitored. Where audits highlighted shortfalls, actions were always taken to make improvements.

Staff told us they were proud to work at the home, and all said they would recommend it as a place to live or work. All staff described the management as open and approachable which meant they were comfortable to make suggestions or raise concerns.