Working at Vale Lodge Residential Home
38-40 Sutherland Road, Plymouth, PL4 6BN
Operated by M Atwill and Miss S Haswell
20 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
7.5/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 9 February 2026
Score: 7.5/10
Key Finding
"Strong leadership and a positive family-like culture with safe practices, but uncertain staff retention and basic training without specialist courses."
Safety & Risk
8/10
✓
Staff were recruited safely, and safeguarding processes were in place... There were effective systems to ensure medicines were ordered, stored, administered and monitored safely. There was a robust system of audit and review in place... Incidents and accidents were reported, recorded, investigated and analysed.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
There was an open, transparent and positive culture at the service... Staff described Vale Lodge as a homely service, and the people who lived and worked there as family.
Staffing Levels
7/10
✓
There were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. The registered manager chose not to use agency staff, in order to provide familiar and consistent support to the people living at Vale Lodge.
Training & Dev
7/10
✓
Staff completed an induction... New staff also shadowed experienced staff... The provider's mandatory training included moving and handling, basic life support, medication administration, the MCA, safeguarding and nutrition. Staff had ongoing support through supervision and appraisals.
Management
8/10
✓
The registered manager was highly visible working alongside staff and observing their practice. One member of staff told us, 'The manager is brilliant. I take advice all the time when I need something.'
Programmes
7/10
✓
People told us they enjoyed lots of activities at Vale Lodge and weekly trips out in the minibus... Festivals such as Easter, Christmas and Halloween were celebrated... frequent visitors to Vale Lodge including the church, children from nearby schools, college and local choirs.
Points to consider
Enough staff on shifts and no agency workers, but no details on staff staying long-term or team experience.
There were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. The registered manager chose not to use agency staff, in order to provide familiar and consistent support to the people living at Vale Lodge.
Staff get mandatory training, shadowing, and workshops, but no specialist courses or funded qualifications named.
The provider's mandatory training included moving and handling, basic life support, medication administration, the MCA, safeguarding and nutrition.
Varied activities like trips, sing-alongs, and community visitors, but no dedicated activities coordinator or specialist therapy programmes.
The management team and staff used activity and mental stimulation... People told us they enjoyed lots of activities at Vale Lodge and weekly trips out in the minibus.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: September 2019
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