Working at The Oast
2 Plains Avenue, Maidstone, ME15 7AT
Operated by Charing Oast Limited
28 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
6.9/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 6.9/10
Key Finding
"A friendly culture and strong safety measures with regular training and supervisions, but inconsistent audits need attention."
Safety & Risk
8/10
✓
Per 2022: We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections, using PPE effectively and safely, making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: 'The culture here is really lovely, they're a friendly lot... The manager is really good and I can go to her with anything.'
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
Per 2017: There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people's needs and the staffing rota showed that staff were organised in an appropriate way. Per 2022: measures in place to mitigate COVID-19 related staff pressures.
Training & Dev
7/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: Staff were supported to obtain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) in social care. All staff were receiving regular supervisions and yearly appraisals.
Management
6/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: Relatives and staff spoke positively about the registered manager. The registered manager had an open door policy that was used by staff.
Programmes
6/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: Activities included quizzes, skittles, exercises and health and beauty sessions, singer, pub lunch, penny bingo; dedicated activities coordinator.
Points to consider
Manager is approachable and supportive, but quality checks like audits were not fully in place or consistent.
Auditing systems had not been fully embedded within the service. (Per 2017)
Staffing levels are adequate to cover needs, but no details on stable teams, low agency use, or easy workloads.
There were sufficient numbers of staff to keep people safe. (Per 2017)
Varied group activities and some outings with a coordinator, but limited outings and no specialist creative programmes.
There was one outing activity each month but the service was limited to only be able to take four people. (Per 2017)
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: October 2017
Good
Safe
✓
Good
Effective
✓
Good
Caring
✓
Good
Responsive
✓
Good
Management Quality
Well-led: Requires improvement
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- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Data
- PlainSight staff reviews