Oakwood 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 beds37
- SpecialismsCaring for adults over 65 yrs, Dementia
- Last inspected2023-03-28
The Evidence
What the review data, the inspection reports, and the dementia-care evidence base tell us about this home.
What families say
Relatives talk about the warm reception they get on visits, with staff who remember their names and catch them up on their loved one's week. There's a sense that carers genuinely engage with residents rather than just going through motions, taking time for proper conversations and showing real patience.
The eight family priority themes
- Staff warmth55
- Compassion & dignity55
- Cleanliness55
- Activities & engagement50
- Food quality50
- Healthcare55
- Management & leadership35
- Resident happiness55
What inspectors found
Inspected 2023-03-28
Is this home safe?
Is the care effective?
The Effective domain was rated Good at the January 2023 inspection. This domain covers how well the home understands and meets each person's health and care needs, including care planning, dementia training, food and nutrition, and access to healthcare professionals such as GPs. The published summary does not include specific examples of care plan quality, training records, or food provision. The improvement from the previous overall rating suggests some progress was made in this area.Is this home caring?
The Caring domain was rated Good at the January 2023 inspection. This domain covers whether staff treat residents with warmth, dignity, and respect, and whether the home supports independence. The published summary does not include specific inspector observations, resident quotes, or family testimony to confirm what this looked like in practice. No quotes from residents or relatives were recorded in the available findings.Is the home responsive?
The Responsive domain was rated Good at the January 2023 inspection. This domain covers whether the home tailors its care and activities to individual needs, responds to complaints, and has plans in place for end of life. The published summary does not include specific examples of activity provision, complaint handling, or end-of-life planning. The home lists dementia as a specialism, which implies some structured approach to meeting individual needs.Is the home well-led?
The Well-led domain was rated Requires Improvement at the January 2023 inspection. This is the only domain that did not achieve a Good rating and it is a significant concern. Well-led covers whether the management team has effective oversight of the home, whether staff are supported and can speak up, and whether the home identifies and acts on problems before they escalate. The published summary does not detail what specific concerns were identified. The registered manager is listed as Mr Ashley James and the nominated individual as Ms Harjeet Grewal.
Source: CQC inspection report →
What the evidence base says
The home specialises in caring for adults over 65, including those living with dementia. While the home accepts residents with dementia, families haven't shared much detail about specific approaches or programmes. What comes through is that staff build meaningful relationships with residents experiencing memory challenges. 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
Oakwood Care Home scores 72 out of 100, reflecting a genuine improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating, but the inspection report contains limited specific detail across most areas and the Well-led domain remains a concern. The score reflects promise rather than proven, consistently evidenced quality.
Homes in West Midlands typically score 68–82.The three-lens summary
What families tell us
Relatives talk about the warm reception they get on visits, with staff who remember their names and catch them up on their loved one's week. There's a sense that carers genuinely engage with residents rather than just going through motions, taking time for proper conversations and showing real patience.
What inspectors have recorded
Communication appears to be a real strength here, with families kept in the loop about medical appointments and any changes in their relative's care. Staff seem proactive about flagging concerns early rather than waiting for families to ask, which clearly helps build trust.
How it sits against good practice
For families watching loved ones regain their spark after a difficult period at home, Oakwood seems to offer the fresh start they're looking for.
Worth a visit
Oakwood Care Home, at 78-82 Kingsbury Road, Birmingham, was rated Good overall at its inspection in January 2023, an improvement on its previous Requires Improvement rating. Four of the five inspection domains, Safe, Effective, Caring, and Responsive, were all rated Good, suggesting that the basics of safe and caring practice were in place at the time of the visit. The home specialises in dementia care and residential care for adults over 65, with 37 beds. The most important caveat is that the Well-led domain was rated Requires Improvement, meaning inspectors found concerns about how the home is managed and governed. The published summary also contains very little specific detail, so it is not possible to say precisely what inspectors observed, heard from residents, or found in records. Before making a decision, ask to meet the registered manager, find out what the Well-led concerns related to and what has changed since March 2023, and arrange a visit at a time of day when you can see the home in action rather than just on its best behaviour.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how Oakwood Care Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How Oakwood Care Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Where settling in feels like finding your feet again
Oakwood Care Home – Expert Care in Birmingham
When families describe their loved ones becoming visibly more relaxed and confident within days of arrival, you know something special is happening. Oakwood Care Home in Birmingham has earned a reputation for helping residents rediscover their sense of contentment, particularly those who've been struggling at home. The West Midlands location offers newly refurbished surroundings that families say feel refreshingly modern compared to typical care settings.
Who they care for
The home specialises in caring for adults over 65, including those living with dementia.
While the home accepts residents with dementia, families haven't shared much detail about specific approaches or programmes. What comes through is that staff build meaningful relationships with residents experiencing memory challenges.
“For families watching loved ones regain their spark after a difficult period at home, Oakwood seems to offer the fresh start they're looking for.”
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
Oakwood Care Home scores 72 out of 100, reflecting a genuine improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating, but the inspection report contains limited specific detail across most areas and the Well-led domain remains a concern. The score reflects promise rather than proven, consistently evidenced quality.
Homes in West Midlands typically score 68–82.The three-lens summary
What families tell us
Relatives talk about the warm reception they get on visits, with staff who remember their names and catch them up on their loved one's week. There's a sense that carers genuinely engage with residents rather than just going through motions, taking time for proper conversations and showing real patience.
What inspectors have recorded
Communication appears to be a real strength here, with families kept in the loop about medical appointments and any changes in their relative's care. Staff seem proactive about flagging concerns early rather than waiting for families to ask, which clearly helps build trust.
How it sits against good practice
For families watching loved ones regain their spark after a difficult period at home, Oakwood seems to offer the fresh start they're looking for.
Worth a visit
Oakwood Care Home, at 78-82 Kingsbury Road, Birmingham, was rated Good overall at its inspection in January 2023, an improvement on its previous Requires Improvement rating. Four of the five inspection domains, Safe, Effective, Caring, and Responsive, were all rated Good, suggesting that the basics of safe and caring practice were in place at the time of the visit. The home specialises in dementia care and residential care for adults over 65, with 37 beds. The most important caveat is that the Well-led domain was rated Requires Improvement, meaning inspectors found concerns about how the home is managed and governed. The published summary also contains very little specific detail, so it is not possible to say precisely what inspectors observed, heard from residents, or found in records. Before making a decision, ask to meet the registered manager, find out what the Well-led concerns related to and what has changed since March 2023, and arrange a visit at a time of day when you can see the home in action rather than just on its best behaviour.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how Oakwood Care Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How Oakwood Care Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Where settling in feels like finding your feet again
Oakwood Care Home – Expert Care in Birmingham
When families describe their loved ones becoming visibly more relaxed and confident within days of arrival, you know something special is happening. Oakwood Care Home in Birmingham has earned a reputation for helping residents rediscover their sense of contentment, particularly those who've been struggling at home. The West Midlands location offers newly refurbished surroundings that families say feel refreshingly modern compared to typical care settings.
Who they care for
The home specialises in caring for adults over 65, including those living with dementia.
While the home accepts residents with dementia, families haven't shared much detail about specific approaches or programmes. What comes through is that staff build meaningful relationships with residents experiencing memory challenges.
Management & ethos
Communication appears to be a real strength here, with families kept in the loop about medical appointments and any changes in their relative's care. Staff seem proactive about flagging concerns early rather than waiting for families to ask, which clearly helps build trust.
The home & environment
The recent refurbishment shows in the ensuite bedrooms and communal spaces that families describe as spacious and spotlessly maintained. Mealtimes seem to be a particular bright spot, with varied menus that have helped several residents regain weight they'd lost while living alone. Regular entertainment includes themed cultural days and outings when the weather's nice.
“For families watching loved ones regain their spark after a difficult period at home, Oakwood seems to offer the fresh start they're looking for.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
