Working at Willow Green Care Home
Eastborne Road, Darlington, DL1 4ER
Operated by St. Martin's Care Limited
63 bedsNursing homes
Workplace Score
7.0/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 7.0/10
Key Finding
"Excellent training and progression opportunities plus a positive, happy culture, although basic activities and some agency staff hold it back."
Safety & Risk
7/10
✓
Medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely. Systems and processes were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff had received appropriate safeguarding training and referrals had been made to the local authority when any concerns had been raised.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
Staff told us the culture and team work had improved. A staff member said, 'I feel happier coming to work than I did last year, feels calmer and the staff are a lot happier.'
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
Sufficient numbers of staff were employed to provide safe and consistent care to people. Although the service was using agency staff, we observed the staff team working well together to meet people's needs.
Training & Dev
8/10
✓
Senior staff members were enrolled onto National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and degree programmes. Senior care assistants were trained using the registered nursing associate programme and there were opportunities available to progress onto a nursing degree with a local university.
Management
7/10
✓
People and staff spoke positively about the registered manager and felt able to raise concerns and were confident that these would be addressed.
Programmes
5/10
!
The service offered Tai Chi, dance and seated exercise classes encouraging people to remain active. We received mixed feedback about activities at the home. Some people said they would like more opportunities to join in.
Points to consider
Activities are basic like exercise classes and some residents want more variety, so the role might feel routine some days.
We received mixed feedback about activities at the home. Some people said they would like more opportunities to join in. The provider was in the process of developing a wellbeing role to undertake 1:1 activities with people.
Staffing is adequate but relies on some agency workers even if the same few provide continuity.
Although the service was using agency staff, we observed the staff team working well together to meet people's needs.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: October 2023
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