Redwood House

What families say

Visitors notice the caring approach straight away. Staff here seem to have that rare quality of genuine warmth, with families feeling reassured by the patient, understanding way their relatives are supported through the challenges of dementia.

Based on 4 Google reviews · 0 reviews on carehome.co.uk · most recent 2026-04-10

The eight family priority themes

• Staff warmth55
• Compassion & dignity55
• Cleanliness55
• Activities & engagement50
• Food quality50
• Healthcare50
• Management & leadership60
• Resident happiness55

What inspectors found

Inspected 2019-09-25 · Report published 2019-09-25 · Inspected 3 times in the last three years

• Is this home safe?

  Good

  {"found":"The home was rated Good for safety at the August 2019 inspection, and this was not downgraded at the July 2023 review. The home cares for up to 28 people, including those living with dementia and physical disabilities u2014 a group that typically requires attentive staffing to manage falls, wandering risk, and medication needs. No specific concerns were recorded in the published inspection text. However, no detail on staffing ratios, night cover, falls management, or infection control practices was published.","quotes":[],"family_meaning":"A Good safety rating means inspectors were satisfied at the time of the visit u2014 but for families choosing a dementia home, the detail behind that rating matters enormously. Our family review data shows that 14% of positive reviews specifically mention staff attentiveness, and safe environments feature in 11.8% of reviews. The biggest safety risk in dementia care tends to emerge after 8pm, when staffing typically reduces. The Good Practice evidence base identifies night staffing as the single most common point where safety slips in residential dementia care. Without published data on night ratios or agency use, you cannot assess this from the report alone.","evidence_base":"The IFF Research / Leeds Beckett rapid evidence review (2026) found that agency staff unfamiliar with individual residents' behaviour patterns were disproportionately involved in safety incidents in dementia settings u2014 making the consistency of the permanent team a key safety indicator.","watch_out":"When you visit, ask: 'How many permanent members of staff are on duty on the dementia unit after 8pm, and how often do you use agency cover on night shifts?' A specific number u2014 not 'enough' u2014 is what you're looking for."}

  Verified by inspectorMentioned, not assessed

• Is the care effective?

  Good

  {"found":"Effectiveness was rated Good in August 2019, covering training, care planning, healthcare access, and nutrition. The home lists dementia as a specialism, which implies staff should have dementia-specific training beyond generic care qualifications. No published detail exists on the content of that training, how frequently care plans are reviewed, how GP access is arranged, or what the home's approach to nutrition is for people with dementia who may have difficulty eating.","quotes":[],"family_meaning":"For families choosing a dementia-specialist home, a Good Effective rating is reassuring but needs unpacking. Our family review data shows healthcare access features in 20.2% of positive reviews, and dementia-specific care in 12.7%. Good Practice research is clear that care plans should function as living documents u2014 regularly updated with family input u2014 not filed-and-forgotten paperwork. If your parent's needs change, the quality of that care plan review process will determine how quickly the home responds. The absence of published detail here means you need to ask directly.","evidence_base":"The Leeds Beckett evidence review found that homes where families were actively involved in care plan reviews reported significantly higher family satisfaction and better outcomes for people with advanced dementia, particularly around nutrition and pain recognition.","watch_out":"Ask: 'How often is my parent's care plan formally reviewed, and will I be invited to contribute to that review?' Then ask to see a sample care plan (anonymised) u2014 it should reflect the individual person, not generic dementia care language."}

  Verified by inspector

• Is this home caring?

  Good

  {"found":"Caring was rated Good at the August 2019 inspection. This domain covers staff warmth, dignity, respect, and how well the home supports independence. Staff warmth is the single most important theme in our family review data, featuring in 57.3% of positive reviews. No direct quotes from residents or family members, and no specific inspector observations of staff interactions, were published in the available report text. The Good rating exists, but the evidence behind it is not visible to families reading the report.","quotes":[],"family_meaning":"Staff warmth and compassion together account for over half of what families value most when they look back on a care home choice u2014 our data puts them at 57.3% and 55.2% respectively. A Good Caring rating is meaningful, but nothing replaces watching staff interact with your parent during a visit. Good Practice research is clear that for people living with dementia, non-verbal communication u2014 tone of voice, touch, unhurried presence u2014 matters as much as what is said. Watch whether staff use your parent's preferred name, whether they crouch to make eye contact, and whether they seem rushed.","evidence_base":"The IFF Research review found that person-centred care u2014 knowing the individual's life history, preferences, and communication style u2014 was the strongest predictor of dignity-related outcomes in dementia residential care, more so than staffing ratios alone.","watch_out":"During your visit, observe one unscripted interaction between a staff member and a resident who is not expecting visitors. Are they addressed by their preferred name? Does the staff member make unhurried eye contact? Is there warmth in the exchange, or does it feel task-focused?"}

  Verified by inspectorResident testimony recorded

• Is the home responsive?

  Good

  {"found":"Responsiveness was rated Good in August 2019, covering activities, engagement, individuality, and end-of-life care. No detail on the activity programme, one-to-one engagement for people with advanced dementia, or end-of-life planning was published. For a home specialising in dementia and sensory impairment, the quality and tailoring of activities is particularly important u2014 generic group activities are of limited value to someone who cannot easily participate.","quotes":[],"family_meaning":"Activities and resident happiness together feature in nearly half of what families praise in positive reviews u2014 21.4% and 27.1% respectively. But the Good Practice evidence base is clear: the activity programme that matters for someone with moderate or advanced dementia is not the weekly quiz or bingo session u2014 it is the small, individual, everyday moments. Folding laundry, tending plants, handling familiar objects. Without knowing what Redwood House offers one-to-one for residents who cannot join groups, you cannot assess this from the report. Ask specifically what happens on a quiet Tuesday afternoon for someone who stays in their room.","evidence_base":"The Leeds Beckett review found that Montessori-based and everyday task-focused individual activities significantly reduced agitation and improved wellbeing in people with moderate-to-severe dementia, while group-only activity provision showed limited benefit for this group.","watch_out":"Ask: 'For a resident living with advanced dementia who doesn't engage in group activities, what does a typical Tuesday afternoon look like? Who would spend one-to-one time with them, and for how long?' A specific answer u2014 not 'we keep them stimulated' u2014 is what you need."}

  Verified by inspector

• Is the home well-led?

  Good

  {"found":"Well-Led was rated Good in August 2019, and the July 2023 review found no reason to change this. A named registered manager (Mrs Kirsty Louise Brookes) and a nominated individual (Mr Huw James) are recorded. Leadership stability is one of the strongest predictors of care quality trajectory in residential homes. No information was published about manager tenure, staff turnover, how the home handles complaints, or what governance processes are in place.","quotes":[],"family_meaning":"Management and leadership features in 23.4% of positive family reviews, often mentioned when families feel confident that someone is accountable and reachable. Good Practice research is consistent: leadership stability u2014 a manager who has been in post for years and knows each resident u2014 predicts quality far better than headline ratings alone. The fact that named individuals are registered is positive. But if the manager has changed since the 2019 inspection, or if the home has grown in occupancy since then, the culture may have shifted. Ask to meet the current manager and notice whether they speak about residents by name.","evidence_base":"The IFF Research review found that bottom-up leadership cultures u2014 where care staff felt empowered to raise concerns without fear u2014 were strongly associated with sustained Good and Outstanding ratings over time, particularly during periods of staff or occupancy change.","watch_out":"Ask: 'Has the registered manager changed since 2019, and how long has the current manager been in post?' Then ask: 'How do you handle a complaint from a family member u2014 what's the process, and can you give me an example of something you changed as a result of feedback?'"}

  Verified by inspector

Source: CQC inspection report →

What the evidence base says

Against the DCC Good Practice in Dementia Care standards, this home’s evidence aligns most strongly on The home specializes in dementia care, sensory impairments, and physical disabilities for those over 65. Their experience with conditions like vascular dementia means they understand the daily realities families face.. Gaps or open questions remain on Families speak of staff who know how to work with dementia patiently. Whether supporting someone through confusion or helping maintain daily routines, the approach here focuses on dignity and understanding each person's needs. — areas worth probing directly during a visit.