Working at Rivermead
Halsey Road, Bedford, MK42 8AU
Operated by Bedford Borough Council
33 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
"Staff feel well supported by an approachable manager with good team working and safe care, but basic activities without a dedicated coordinator and adequate staffing hold it back."
Safety & Risk
8/10
✓
People received safe care and support and told us they felt safe living at Rivermead. Risks to people's safety were assessed and well managed, and people’s care plans detailed current risks and individual needs.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
Staff told us they enjoyed working at the home and they felt supported by the registered manager. Staff said there was good team working and everyone was focussed on ensuring people using the service were happy and fulfilled.
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
Staff told us that staffing levels were good and there were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. One staff member said, “Staffing isn’t an issue. We have enough staff. It would always be nice to have another member of staff, but we manage okay and still have time to spend with people.”
Training & Dev
6/10
✓
All staff we spoke with confirmed they had completed training and understood the providers whistleblowing and safeguarding policies. Staff confirmed they had completed Infection Control training.
Management
8/10
✓
Staff felt well supported and said the registered manager was open and approachable. Everyone spoke highly of the registered manager and how much work they put into the smooth running of the service.
Programmes
5/10
!
We observed people being offered different choices of activity for the day. One comment about the provision of activities read, “It was good to see [family member] joining in with the exercises. They also like the magnetic darts, skittles and catch and toss.”
Points to consider
No dedicated activities coordinator or specialist programmes, so the role involves mostly basic games like darts and exercises alongside routine care.
We observed people being offered different choices of activity for the day... magnetic darts, skittles and catch and toss.”
Staffing is enough to get by without rushing, but staff say it would be nice to have one more person on shift.
One staff member said, “Staffing isn’t an issue. We have enough staff. It would always be nice to have another member of staff, but we manage okay
Only standard mandatory training like safeguarding and infection control mentioned, no specialist courses or funded qualifications.
All staff we spoke with confirmed they had completed training and understood the providers whistleblowing and safeguarding policies... Staff confirmed they had completed Infection Control training.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: April 2025
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