The Laurels Care Home

Who the service is for

The service provides support for older people, people living with dementia and people with physical disabilities.

Key findings

We carried out this assessment on 15 June 2026. This service was previously rated good and 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.

There was a learning culture in the service where accidents and incidents were recorded, reviewed and analysed. Lessons learned were identified and shared with members of staff to support continuous improvement.

There were clear processes in place to share concerns about safety. People told us they felt safe and care and support was delivered in line with their needs. A member of staff told us, “If I suspected abuse, I would look out for the signs of abuse, record the facts and report the suspected abuse to my manager in detail. I keep people safe by implementing the designated care plans and risk assessments and also by implementing the training I received from the organisation aimed at caring for people. I would report to my manager if I witnessed any abuse. The safety of the people I look after is important and their wellbeing comes first.” 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. We found members of staff and the management team worked within the principles of 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.

People’s care plans were person-centred and regularly reviewed and updated. Care plans and risk assessments gave accurate information which supported the delivery of safe care. We observed people’s care being delivered in line with their care plans.

The care environment was clean and well-maintained. Appropriate checks and reviews of service and equipment were carried out in line with national standards and expectations.

Members of staff were recruited safely and were well-trained and supported by the provider and the management team. Teams of staff were deployed effectively throughout the care home and were able to respond to people’s needs quickly.

There were good processes in place to manage the administration of medicines safely. Regular reviews and checks provided assurances people received their medicines as prescribed.

People were provided with a choice of meal options which were nutritious and well-prepared. Members of staff were knowledgeable about people who required fortified or specialised diets. Where people needed specialist support for eating and drinking, referrals were made appropriately.

Members of staff were kind and caring. They knew the people they supported, and care was delivered with dignity and respect. People were encouraged to make choices and decisions about their care to support their independence. A relative told us, “[Family member] gets themself dressed and [staff] only assist if needed. [Family member] likes to play bingo and go to the coffee mornings and keep fit. They do not like to sit in the lounge and gossip. [Family member] can make lots of choices, like not going to the lounge and deciding to potter around in their room. [Family member] is up at 6am and [staff] give them a cup of tea.”

Care and support were person-centred and there were regular opportunities for people to be involved in discussions and meetings where their feedback about care and activities was used to make improvements to the delivery of care and support.

The registered manager and the management team were dedicated to supporting the delivery of high-quality care and support to people. There was a clear system of oversight and governance in place to ensure care was delivered effectively and appropriately. The management team were skilled, approachable, and acted with integrity. We heard from people about how good and involved the registered manager was in their care and well-being. A relative said, “The registered manager is great. They are lovely and we can chat to them.” A member of staff told us, “The registered manager gives great support to staff. They are very approachable and will listen if you have any problems and to any ideas you have. I am happy and privileged to work with such a great a team of cares staff and managers.”