Working at Woodside Nursing and Residential Care Home
The Old Vicarage, Luton, LU1 4BJ
Operated by Shires Healthcare (Woodside) Limited
37 bedsNursing homesResidential homes
Workplace Score
6.6/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 6.6/10
Key Finding
"Proactive management and supportive staff culture stand out, but occasional agency staffing and standard training hold it back."
Safety & Risk
8/10
✓
We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections. We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely. We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed (2022 IPC inspection).
Staff Culture
7/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: Staff felt supported and motivated to carry out their roles. Staff told us that they felt able to speak with the managers if they were concerned about anything and they felt well supported. They worked well as a team and supported one another.
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: There was now enough skilled and experienced staff to support people safely and quickly. Staff told us that they were happy with current staffing numbers including one member of staff who said, 'It's got better. We use agency staff, but not all the time' (provider had measures for COVID staff pressures, 2022).
Training & Dev
6/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: The provider had a training programme and all staff were up to date with their mandatory training. Supervision was carried out regularly and staff confirmed this.
Management
7/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: Everyone we spoke with was complimentary about the new manager’s pro-activeness in making improvements in their short time at the service. Daily walks of the floor were completed by the registered manager to monitor cleanliness (2022).
Programmes
6/10
✓
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: An activity coordinator planned and facilitated a variety of activities within the service. There was a lively atmosphere... during a Karaoke session... chatting freely with individual people or supported a small group.
Points to consider
Staffing is adequate with enough staff to get by, but they still rely on some agency workers now and then.
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: 'We use agency staff, but not all the time and those that do work here are regulars and know the residents.'
Only standard mandatory training with regular supervision, no specialist courses or funded qualifications mentioned.
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: 'all staff were up to date with their mandatory training'
Activities programme has a coordinator and some variety like karaoke, but nothing special or innovative.
Per 2017 comprehensive inspection: 'an activity coordinator planned and facilitated a variety of activities... Karaoke session'
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: January 2018
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