Aigburth

“Key findings”

“We carried out this assessment on 14 October 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 received care from staff who were consistently kind, attentive and knew them well. During the inspection, we observed warm, respectful interactions which demonstrated staff understood people’s individual needs, preferences and communication methods. People were listened to, involved in day-to-day decisions and supported in ways which promoted their independence and wellbeing. For example, we observed staff taking time to describe the position of food on a person’s plate using analogue clock-face directions because the person had sensory needs. This clear and individualised communication enabled the person to locate their food independently, participate in their meal with confidence and retain choice and control, while protecting their dignity.”

“Staff responded promptly when people needed assistance and did so without rushing them. Their calm and inclusive approach created a relaxed, friendly and homely atmosphere, with meaningful engagement evident throughout the day. One staff member said, “Care overall is good. It’s a home from home; the atmosphere is relaxed, so it helps us make residents feel relaxed and comfortable.” This reflected our observations of a welcoming environment where people appeared comfortable and at ease.”

“Staff demonstrated a compassionate and informed understanding of how to support people living with dementia. They described using reassurance, distraction and approaches tailored to each person’s life history, preferences and communication needs to reduce distress and promote emotional wellbeing.”

“People’s needs were comprehensively assessed before they moved into the service, enabling staff to plan their care and ensure the environment could meet their individual needs. Any risks associated with people’s care, health and wellbeing were identified, assessed and managed through clear, individualised plans that were regularly reviewed, helping to keep people safe while supporting their independence and quality of life. Effective handovers and daily flash meetings took place throughout the day, supporting staff to identify, share and respond promptly to any changes in people’s health, wellbeing or behaviour.”

“The environment had been thoughtfully adapted to support people living with advanced dementia. This included dementia-friendly décor and personalised reminiscence displays outside people’s rooms to aid recognition and orientation. The home kept birds, including budgerigars, which provided sensory stimulation, interest and opportunities for meaningful engagement. Staff also adapted activities in response to people’s abilities, interests and feedback. One staff member said, “We do very well. We ask residents what they want and check if entertainers are good or not. On the dementia floor, if anything is too complicated, we will change it. They like baking; we keep it simple.” This demonstrated a flexible and person-centred approach, helping people to participate in activities they enjoyed in ways which were accessible and meaningful to them. Together, these measures helped create a familiar, reassuring and enabling…”