Working at Blackthorns
21-29 Dooley Road, Halstead, CO9 1JW
Operated by Runwood Homes Limited
62 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
3.7/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 3.7/10
Key Finding
"Supportive management and good training, but staffing shortages leave staff rushed and safety risks not always managed well."
Safety & Risk
2/10
✕
We identified 2 breaches of the legal regulations in relation to risks associated with safe care, and management oversight. Risk was not always safely managed... placed people at risk of potential harm.
Staff Culture
6/10
✓
Staff were positive about the approachability of the registered manager, deputy manager and regional operations director. 'Management team are very supportive, the door is always open.'
Staffing Levels
2/10
✕
Staffing levels and staff deployment did not always safely meet people’s holistic needs and ensure staff could carry out their role effectively. most felt staffing levels needed to be improved... staff seemed to be, 'Rushed off their feet,'
Training & Dev
5/10
!
Staff told us they received a mix of face-to-face and e-Learning training to support them in their roles and keep their knowledge updated. 'The training is good. There's a lot of new things to learn. There's continuous training,'
Management
3/10
✕
We found a breach of legal regulations relating to good governance. This was because the systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service were not always effective.
Programmes
3/10
✕
most of the relatives said they had not been involved in care planning and reviews... felt there needed to be more meaningful occupation... picture bingo, as they felt it was, 'A bit babyish.'
Points to consider
Not enough staff so you're always rushed, using agency workers, and can't spend time chatting with residents.
staff seemed to be, 'Rushed off their feet,' ... 'The less staff, the slower the process for residents. We're trying to beat time… not having time to sit and chat.'
Risks to residents like falls, wandering into rooms, and equipment issues not always spotted or fixed, with repeat problems.
People’s risks were not always adequately assessed, managed... incidents with similar themes reoccurring... we made a safeguarding referral to the local authority.
Leadership oversight failings mean audits miss risks and improvements don't stick.
Audits and checks were not independently picking up risk placed people at risk of potential harm... improvements had not been sustained.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: March 2025
Requires improvement
Safe
!
Requires improvement
Effective
✓
Good
Caring
✓
Good
Responsive
!
Requires improvement
Management Quality
Well-led: Requires improvement
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Chat on WhatsAppSources
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Data
- PlainSight staff reviews