Working at Down House

Little activities or group social events, so the role is mostly routine personal care with residents staying in rooms.

There was little use of communal areas taking place for groups of people when we visited, and people had little stimulating social activity to prevent feelings of isolation.

Staff numbers are adequate but high resident needs mean staff feel stretched and some days are manic.

Some staff told us they felt stretched to meet peoples’ needs. One staff member said, “There are some mornings where it can be manic, but no-one gets left behind"

Only standard training and supervision, staff want more practical courses but no specialist development mentioned.

Staff told us training was good but more practical courses would be helpful. Records showed mandatory training, as defined by the service, was being delivered to all staff.