Fir Trees Care Home
At a Glance
The information you need to decide whether this home warrants a closer look.
Residential homes
Staff warmth score
of reviewers answered yes
Good to know
- Registered beds46
- SpecialismsCaring for adults over 65 yrs, Caring for adults under 65 yrs, Dementia, Physical disabilities
- Last inspected2023-11-22
The Evidence
What the review data, the inspection reports, and the dementia-care evidence base tell us about this home.
What families say
Some families have found real warmth in the way individual carers interact with residents. Staff take an unhurried approach when spending time with people, and the home organises outings that give residents something to look forward to.
The eight family priority themes
- Staff warmth70
- Compassion & dignity72
- Cleanliness65
- Activities & engagement62
- Food quality60
- Healthcare62
- Management & leadership75
- Resident happiness68
What inspectors found
Inspected 2023-11-22
Is this home safe?
Is the care effective?
The Effective domain was rated Good at the October 2023 inspection. This domain covers whether staff have the right training, whether care plans are detailed and kept up to date, whether people's health needs are met, and whether food meets individual needs. Dementia is a listed specialism at Fir Trees, so inspectors would have considered whether staff training and care planning reflect the specific needs of people living with dementia. A Good rating here indicates inspectors were broadly satisfied. The published summary does not include specific examples of care plan content, dementia training details, or GP access arrangements.Is this home caring?
The Caring domain was rated Good at the October 2023 inspection. This domain covers whether staff treat people with warmth, dignity, and respect, whether privacy is maintained, and whether people are supported to remain as independent as possible. A Good rating here is a meaningful positive finding for a home of this type, given the range of needs including dementia and physical disabilities. The published summary does not include specific observed examples, resident quotes, or relative feedback recorded during the inspection.Is the home responsive?
The Responsive domain was rated Good at the October 2023 inspection. This domain covers whether the home tailors its support to each person's individual needs and preferences, whether activities are meaningful and varied, and whether end-of-life care is planned and person-centred. A Good rating here indicates inspectors were satisfied that Fir Trees responds to individuality rather than offering a one-size approach. The published summary does not describe specific activities, individual engagement examples, or end-of-life care arrangements.Is the home well-led?
The Well-led domain was rated Good at the October 2023 inspection. This domain covers the quality of leadership, whether the culture is open and learning-focused, and whether governance systems are effective. Fir Trees has a named Registered Manager (Nicole Gunning) and a Nominated Individual (Anna Gretchen Selby) listed with the regulator. The improvement from a previous overall rating of Requires Improvement to Good is a meaningful signal of leadership effectiveness, as sustained improvement typically requires stable management and a functioning quality oversight system. The Safe domain remaining at Requires Improvement indicates there is still work in progress.
Source: CQC inspection report →
What the evidence base says
The home provides residential care for adults under 65 with physical disabilities, as well as older adults including those living with dementia. For residents with dementia, the team focuses on creating a calm environment and taking time to provide emotional reassurance during the transition into care. All areas worth probing directly during a visit.
The DCC Verdict
Our editorial view, built from the three lenses: what families tell us, what inspectors record, and how the home sits against good dementia-care practice.
DCC Family Score
Fir Trees scores 72 out of 100, reflecting a home that has genuinely improved from a previous Requires Improvement rating and now holds a Good overall rating, but with a remaining caution in the Safe domain that families of people with dementia or physical disabilities should explore directly on a visit.
Homes in North West typically score 68–82.The three-lens summary
What families tell us
Some families have found real warmth in the way individual carers interact with residents. Staff take an unhurried approach when spending time with people, and the home organises outings that give residents something to look forward to.
What inspectors have recorded
The care team shows patience and friendliness in their daily interactions. When medical emergencies have occurred, staff have responded quickly to get residents the help they need.
How it sits against good practice
Choosing residential care involves weighing many factors — visiting in person can help you understand if a home feels right for your family.
Worth a visit
Fir Trees in Dukinfield was rated Good overall at its inspection on 30 October 2023, published 22 November 2023. This is a meaningful improvement from its previous rating of Requires Improvement. Inspectors rated the home Good across four of its five domains: Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led. The home cares for up to 46 people across a mix of needs including dementia, physical disabilities, and general older adult care, and it has a named Registered Manager in post. The one area requiring attention is the Safe domain, which was still rated Requires Improvement at this inspection. This is the domain that covers staffing, medicines management, infection control, and how the home manages risk. The published summary does not give enough detail to explain exactly what inspectors found concerning, so this is the most important conversation to have with the manager before you decide. Ask specifically about night staffing numbers for 46 residents, how often agency staff cover shifts, and what has changed in the Safe domain since the previous inspection. Visit at a quieter time of day, such as mid-morning, when you can observe how staff respond to people who need help without being prompted.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how Fir Trees Care Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How Fir Trees Care Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Skilled carers offer patient support through life's transitions
Fir Trees – Your Trusted residential home
When families need residential care in Dukinfield, they're often looking for somewhere that understands the emotional side of moving into care. Fir Trees works with adults of all ages who need support with physical disabilities or dementia. The home takes time to help new residents settle in, with staff who understand this can be a difficult adjustment.
Who they care for
The home provides residential care for adults under 65 with physical disabilities, as well as older adults including those living with dementia.
For residents with dementia, the team focuses on creating a calm environment and taking time to provide emotional reassurance during the transition into care.
“Choosing residential care involves weighing many factors — visiting in person can help you understand if a home feels right for your family.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
The DCC Verdict
Our editorial view, built from the three lenses: what families tell us, what inspectors record, and how the home sits against good dementia-care practice.
DCC Family Score
Fir Trees scores 72 out of 100, reflecting a home that has genuinely improved from a previous Requires Improvement rating and now holds a Good overall rating, but with a remaining caution in the Safe domain that families of people with dementia or physical disabilities should explore directly on a visit.
Homes in North West typically score 68–82.The three-lens summary
What families tell us
Some families have found real warmth in the way individual carers interact with residents. Staff take an unhurried approach when spending time with people, and the home organises outings that give residents something to look forward to.
What inspectors have recorded
The care team shows patience and friendliness in their daily interactions. When medical emergencies have occurred, staff have responded quickly to get residents the help they need.
How it sits against good practice
Choosing residential care involves weighing many factors — visiting in person can help you understand if a home feels right for your family.
Worth a visit
Fir Trees in Dukinfield was rated Good overall at its inspection on 30 October 2023, published 22 November 2023. This is a meaningful improvement from its previous rating of Requires Improvement. Inspectors rated the home Good across four of its five domains: Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led. The home cares for up to 46 people across a mix of needs including dementia, physical disabilities, and general older adult care, and it has a named Registered Manager in post. The one area requiring attention is the Safe domain, which was still rated Requires Improvement at this inspection. This is the domain that covers staffing, medicines management, infection control, and how the home manages risk. The published summary does not give enough detail to explain exactly what inspectors found concerning, so this is the most important conversation to have with the manager before you decide. Ask specifically about night staffing numbers for 46 residents, how often agency staff cover shifts, and what has changed in the Safe domain since the previous inspection. Visit at a quieter time of day, such as mid-morning, when you can observe how staff respond to people who need help without being prompted.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how Fir Trees Care Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How Fir Trees Care Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Skilled carers offer patient support through life's transitions
Fir Trees – Your Trusted residential home
When families need residential care in Dukinfield, they're often looking for somewhere that understands the emotional side of moving into care. Fir Trees works with adults of all ages who need support with physical disabilities or dementia. The home takes time to help new residents settle in, with staff who understand this can be a difficult adjustment.
Who they care for
The home provides residential care for adults under 65 with physical disabilities, as well as older adults including those living with dementia.
For residents with dementia, the team focuses on creating a calm environment and taking time to provide emotional reassurance during the transition into care.
Management & ethos
The care team shows patience and friendliness in their daily interactions. When medical emergencies have occurred, staff have responded quickly to get residents the help they need.
“Choosing residential care involves weighing many factors — visiting in person can help you understand if a home feels right for your family.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
