La Fontana Care Home
At a Glance
The information you need to decide whether this home warrants a closer look.
Nursing homes
Staff warmth score
of reviewers answered yes
Good to know
- Registered beds76
- SpecialismsCaring for adults over 65 yrs, Caring for adults under 65 yrs, Caring for people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act, Dementia, Mental health conditions, Physical disabilities
- Last inspected2022-10-29
The Evidence
What the review data, the inspection reports, and the dementia-care evidence base tell us about this home.
What families say
Families describe finding their relatives settled into routines here, joining in with organised activities and trips out. The atmosphere feels purposeful, with residents staying engaged through the variety of things to do each day.
The eight family priority themes
- Staff warmth55
- Compassion & dignity55
- Cleanliness55
- Activities & engagement50
- Food quality50
- Healthcare55
- Management & leadership60
- Resident happiness55
What inspectors found
Inspected 2022-10-29
Is this home safe?
Is the care effective?
La Fontana was rated Good for effectiveness at the October 2022 inspection. As a nursing home registered for dementia and mental health conditions, effective practice should include detailed care planning, regular GP and specialist access, and dementia-specific training for all staff. The published report does not contain specific observations on any of these areas, so it is not possible to confirm the quality or frequency of care plan reviews, the content of dementia training, or how well nutritional needs are met.Is this home caring?
La Fontana was rated Good for caring at the October 2022 inspection. The published report does not include direct inspector observations of staff interactions, resident quotes about how they feel treated, or specific examples of dignity and respect in practice. The Good rating indicates inspectors were satisfied, but the evidence base behind it is not visible in the published text.Is the home responsive?
La Fontana was rated Good for responsiveness at the October 2022 inspection. The home is registered for dementia, mental health conditions, and physical disabilities, which means responsive practice should include tailored activities, individualised care, and appropriate end-of-life planning. The published report contains no specific observations about the activity programme, one-to-one engagement, or how individual preferences are identified and acted on.Is the home well-led?
La Fontana was rated Good for leadership at the October 2022 inspection, run by N. Notaro Homes Limited with Christopher David Ridgard named as the nominated individual. The improvement from a previous Requires Improvement rating across all five domains suggests the leadership team has addressed whatever concerns were identified previously. The published report does not include specific observations about the manager's visibility, staff culture, or governance systems.
Source: CQC inspection report →
What the evidence base says
The home cares for adults both under and over 65, including those with dementia, mental health conditions and physical disabilities. They're also registered to support people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act. For those living with dementia, the secure environment means residents can move around safely while staff maintain the structure and routine that helps people feel grounded. 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
La Fontana achieved a Good rating across all five domains at its October 2022 inspection, improving from a previous Requires Improvement. However, the published report text provides very limited specific detail, so scores reflect that improvement and the Good rating rather than richly evidenced observations.
Homes in South West typically score 68–82.The three-lens summary
What families tell us
Families describe finding their relatives settled into routines here, joining in with organised activities and trips out. The atmosphere feels purposeful, with residents staying engaged through the variety of things to do each day.
What inspectors have recorded
Most interactions with staff come across as warm and professional, though experiences can vary across the team. One family faced real distress when personal belongings weren't handled properly after their relative passed away, which raises questions about procedures at such sensitive times.
How it sits against good practice
It's worth visiting to see how the activities programme works and to get a sense of the staff team for yourself.
Worth a visit
La Fontana, on Fold Hill Lane in Martock, was rated Good across all five inspection domains at its most recent inspection in October 2022. Crucially, this represents an improvement from a previous Requires Improvement rating, which suggests the home has made genuine progress in the way it operates. As a 76-bed nursing home registered for dementia, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, and care under the Mental Health Act, it covers a wide range of complex needs. The main limitation for families is that the published inspection findings contain very limited specific detail: there are no direct observations of care, no resident or relative quotes, and no specific evidence about staffing levels, activities, food, or the dementia environment. This means the Good rating is confirmed but the texture behind it is not. Before making a decision, visit the home at a mealtime if possible, ask to see last month's staffing rota (including overnight shifts and agency use), and ask how the home specifically supports someone at your parent's stage of dementia.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how La Fontana Care Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How La Fontana Care Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Where residents find comfort through activities and connection in Somerset
Dedicated nursing home Support in Martock
La Fontana in Martock brings a thoughtful approach to specialist care, creating structured days filled with activities and social moments. This Somerset home supports people with dementia, mental health conditions and physical disabilities, offering secure spaces where residents can move between quiet corners and busier communal areas.
Who they care for
The home cares for adults both under and over 65, including those with dementia, mental health conditions and physical disabilities. They're also registered to support people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act.
For those living with dementia, the secure environment means residents can move around safely while staff maintain the structure and routine that helps people feel grounded.
“It's worth visiting to see how the activities programme works and to get a sense of the staff team for yourself.”
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
La Fontana achieved a Good rating across all five domains at its October 2022 inspection, improving from a previous Requires Improvement. However, the published report text provides very limited specific detail, so scores reflect that improvement and the Good rating rather than richly evidenced observations.
Homes in South West typically score 68–82.The three-lens summary
What families tell us
Families describe finding their relatives settled into routines here, joining in with organised activities and trips out. The atmosphere feels purposeful, with residents staying engaged through the variety of things to do each day.
What inspectors have recorded
Most interactions with staff come across as warm and professional, though experiences can vary across the team. One family faced real distress when personal belongings weren't handled properly after their relative passed away, which raises questions about procedures at such sensitive times.
How it sits against good practice
It's worth visiting to see how the activities programme works and to get a sense of the staff team for yourself.
Worth a visit
La Fontana, on Fold Hill Lane in Martock, was rated Good across all five inspection domains at its most recent inspection in October 2022. Crucially, this represents an improvement from a previous Requires Improvement rating, which suggests the home has made genuine progress in the way it operates. As a 76-bed nursing home registered for dementia, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, and care under the Mental Health Act, it covers a wide range of complex needs. The main limitation for families is that the published inspection findings contain very limited specific detail: there are no direct observations of care, no resident or relative quotes, and no specific evidence about staffing levels, activities, food, or the dementia environment. This means the Good rating is confirmed but the texture behind it is not. Before making a decision, visit the home at a mealtime if possible, ask to see last month's staffing rota (including overnight shifts and agency use), and ask how the home specifically supports someone at your parent's stage of dementia.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how La Fontana Care Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How La Fontana Care Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Where residents find comfort through activities and connection in Somerset
Dedicated nursing home Support in Martock
La Fontana in Martock brings a thoughtful approach to specialist care, creating structured days filled with activities and social moments. This Somerset home supports people with dementia, mental health conditions and physical disabilities, offering secure spaces where residents can move between quiet corners and busier communal areas.
Who they care for
The home cares for adults both under and over 65, including those with dementia, mental health conditions and physical disabilities. They're also registered to support people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act.
For those living with dementia, the secure environment means residents can move around safely while staff maintain the structure and routine that helps people feel grounded.
Management & ethos
Most interactions with staff come across as warm and professional, though experiences can vary across the team. One family faced real distress when personal belongings weren't handled properly after their relative passed away, which raises questions about procedures at such sensitive times.
The home & environment
Mealtimes bring proper choice, with food that residents look forward to rather than just tolerate. The building itself offers modern private rooms, while outside spaces give everyone somewhere secure to enjoy fresh air when the weather allows.
“It's worth visiting to see how the activities programme works and to get a sense of the staff team for yourself.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
