Working at Acorn House - Acorn Watford Limited
198 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 6JE
Operated by Acorn (Watford) Ltd
10 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
7.0/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 9 February 2026
Score: 7.0/10
Key Finding
"Positive staff culture and strong safety practices, although staffing relies on manager cover with occasional agency use, and activities lack a dedicated coordinator."
Safety & Risk
8/10
✓
People had risk assessments... Staff spoke confidently about individual risks... Medicines... MARs... completed accurately... audit activity... action had been taken... Staff took appropriate action following accidents and incidents... recorded, and any subsequent action was shared and analysed.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
morale was good amongst the staff team. Staff told us 'I really like working here. We give good care. I'd happily have a relative live here.' The culture of the service was positive and inclusive.
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
Relatives told us there were enough staff... 'There's absolutely enough staff, I've never had a concern.' The registered manager said 'We cover for each other and I am always available to go and work on the floor if we need extra cover.'
Training & Dev
7/10
✓
Per 2019 comprehensive inspection: Staff received training in a range of areas through face to face and on-line... 'I am doing my level 3 diploma... enough training available.' Staff received regular supervision and appraisals.
Management
7/10
✓
Quality monitoring systems had been embedded... Relatives told us '[Registered manager] is straight on the phone to me whenever anything changes... they always listen to my feedback.'
Programmes
6/10
✓
Per 2019 comprehensive inspection: Activities organised according to people's preferences... making Halloween masks... knitting club every other week... lunch clubs... reflexology each month... baking and making cakes.
Points to consider
Staffing is adequate for safe care, but manager sometimes covers shifts and there was occasional agency use before, with no info on staff staying long-term.
The registered manager said 'We cover for each other and I am always available to go and work on the floor if we need extra cover.' Per 2019: 'they did not often use agency staff to cover staff shortages'
Varied basic activities like baking, knitting, and community outings, but no dedicated coordinator or specialist programmes to add more creativity to the role.
Per 2019: people were making Halloween masks... knitting club... lunch clubs... reflexology... baking and making cakes.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: April 2022
Good
Safe
✓
Good
Effective
✓
Good
Caring
✓
Good
Responsive
✓
Good
Management Quality
Well-led: Good
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- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Data
- PlainSight staff reviews