Working at Wickham Care Home

No permanent manager in place, so leadership and oversight feel unstable.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post.

Heavy reliance on agency staff, up to 68% at times, with high turnover making shifts inconsistent.

between 1 July 2023 and 20 August 2023 inclusive, no more than 32% of staff were permanent and 68% of staff were from the external domiciliary care agencies.

Gaps in staff training on key topics like fire safety and safeguarding, plus incomplete inductions for agency workers.

the training plan submitted to the Care Quality Commission demonstrated there were gaps for some members of staff relating to fire awareness, safeguarding, and moving and handling. Not all agency staff deployed to Willowmead Care Home had evidence of having completed an induction.