Working at Elmside
Elmside Walk, Hitchin, SG5 1HB
Operated by Methodist Homes
69 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
6.2/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 6.2/10
Key Finding
"Approachable management supports staff well with good safety knowledge, but short-staffed shifts relying on agency and limited dementia morning activities hold it back."
Safety & Risk
7/10
✓
Staff had been trained in how to safeguard people from avoidable harm and were knowledgeable about the potential risks and signs of abuse. Lessons learned were shared and any incidents were reviewed.
Staff Culture
7/10
✓
Staff told us they felt better supported by the registered manager than the previous manager They told us the management team now was approachable and listened to staff as well as support them.
Staffing Levels
5/10
!
However, some staff told us that at times shifts were not covered and they had to work short staffed. One staff member said, 'On a good day we have one agency working [out of six staff] on a bad day we have four agency and two permanent staff.'
Training & Dev
6/10
✓
We noted that the homes training matrix showed that training compliance was over 90% in most areas.
Management
7/10
✓
Staff told us that the management team was approachable and that they could talk to them at any time. They said that the management was always open to suggestions from the staff team and that they listened to everybody.
Programmes
5/10
!
There were a variety of activities provided for people to access at will. For example, there were chair exercises, arts, music therapy, reflexology, religious services and bible reading, a bowls club and recently Spanish lessons had started
Points to consider
Staff sometimes feel short-staffed and there is quite a bit of agency use on busy days.
One staff member said, 'On a good day we have one agency working [out of six staff] on a bad day we have four agency and two permanent staff.'
There is a variety of activities, but people on the dementia unit often just sit around in the mornings with little to do.
we noted for the majority of people living on Cedar unit and who were also living with dementia, they spent most of the morning sitting in the dining room with nothing to do.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: July 2018
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