Aarandale Lodge

Who the service is for

The service supports older people and people living with dementia.

Key findings

We carried out this assessment on the 26 June until the 2 July 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 supported by enough staff who had the skills and knowledge to support them safely. New staff underwent a through recruitment process and a full induction programme. Staff were supported by the manager and given training appropriate to their role. Staff told us they had been supported to complete nationally recognised training courses. People were given their medicines as prescribed and were safeguarded from the risk of abuse by staff who understood their responsibilities to report concerns. Records we saw showed us the registered manager reported safeguarding concerns to the local authority safeguarding team and worked with them to ensure people were safe.

Risk assessments were in place to help staff mitigate risks of harm to people whilst maintaining their independence. A member of staff said, “We promote people’s independence to live their best possible life, whilst keeping them safe.” A relative told us, “Staff have put alarm pads in place, so they know if [person name] is trying to mobilise without support. This has worked to stop any falls.”
The provider employed maintenance staff to keep the building in a good state of repair. Where major works had needed to be completed such as replacing fire doors this had been done. Staff had received training in infection prevention control practices and had personal protective equipment available for them to use.

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.

Care was person centred and assessments of people’s needs were completed before they started using the service. People were supported to maintain hydration and eat a varied diet. We saw people were given choice over the food and drink they had and staff monitored they achieved recommended amounts of fluid intake where needed. People were referred to speech and language therapist for assessments when issues were identified and specialist diets were provided when needed.

We observed staff had positive relationships with people and were kind and caring towards people. The provider and registered manager promoted equality in experience and outcome for people. The registered manager had systems in place to measure and monitor outcomes for people, including surveys on meal experiences and surveys on people’s experience of living at the service. Staff held regular 1:1 meetings with people to gain their feedback and address any concerns. People told us if they had any complaints, they would raise these with the registered manager.

The registered manager had systems in place to keep a good oversight of the service. Staff communicated well together and shared ideas or lessons learned in staff meetings and during supervision.
Staff shared the registered managers and providers vision to provide good care to people with positive outcomes. One member of staff said, “We want people to enjoy the rest of their lives, to be as independent, safe and happy as possible.”