Working at Symonds House - Care Home with Nursing Physical Disabilities
2 Lavender Fields, Hitchin, SG5 2JB
Operated by Leonard Cheshire Disability
20 bedsNursing homes
Workplace Score
6.1/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 9 February 2026
Score: 6.1/10
Key Finding
"Strong management support and safe practices shine through, but poor staff retention and more agency use are hurting team morale."
Safety & Risk
7/10
✓
Training had been provided... to safeguard people from potential abuse. People's medicines were managed safely. Robust systems... weekly medicines audits were carried out.
Staff Culture
6/10
✓
Staff said they enjoyed working at the service, they felt supported and involved. Regular staff meetings were held to encourage clear communication.
Staffing Levels
5/10
!
People, staff and external professionals confirmed current staffing levels met people's needs. However, the service was struggling to recruit and retain permanent staff... increased use of agency staff had a negative impact on the staff team's morale.
Training & Dev
6/10
✓
The staff team received face to face training in basic core areas... Additional training was provided in response to people's specific and changing needs. Staff routinely had individual supervision with line managers.
Management
7/10
✓
The management team was available for the staff if they needed advice or guidance. Quality assurance processes such as audits were used to help ensure the provider's standards were upheld.
Programmes
6/10
✓
The activities coordinator was passionate about supporting people... examples of people going out for lunch... shopping trips... activity folder with carriage driving, sledging, narrowboat trips, ice skating.
Points to consider
Struggling to recruit permanent staff and relying more on agency workers, which knocks staff morale.
the service was struggling to recruit and retain permanent staff. The management team told us that a core group of regular agency staff worked alongside permanent staff to provide consistent care and support. Staff said the increased use of agency staff had a negative impact on the staff team's morale
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: February 2020
Good
Safe
✓
Good
Effective
✓
Good
Caring
✓
Good
Responsive
✓
Good
Management Quality
Well-led: Good
Staff Reviews
Direct feedback from current and former employees
No one has reviewed yet. Be the first.
Scan the QR code or tap the button to chat with us on WhatsApp. Your identity stays completely anonymous.
Chat on WhatsAppSources
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Data
- PlainSight staff reviews