Squires Mews Care Home

Who they care for

The home cares for adults both under and over 65, including those living with dementia, physical disabilities, and sensory impairments. This range means the home is set up to support people with varying needs under one roof.

DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.

Who they care for

• {"_thumbnail_id":"377108","county":"Northamptonshire","_county":"field_6984c81707f16","postcode":"NN3 6QP","_postcode":"field_6984c857ad520","headline":"Residential home in Northampton: True Peace of Mind","_headline":"field_6984c8d0ad52b","description":"Squires Mews Care Home is a care home near Northampton in the East Midlands. Where thoughtful design meets genuine warmth in Northampton","_description":"field_6984c901ad530","gmb_name":"Squires Mews Care Home","_gmb_name":"field_6984c92ead532","gmb_address":"\ue0c8\n488 Kettering Rd, Northampton NN3 6QP","_gmb_address":"field_6984c936ad533","gmb_phone":"01604 277001","_gmb_phone":"field_6984c97aad537","gmb_star_rating":"5.0","_gmb_star_rating":"field_6984c98cad539","copy_headline":"Where thoughtful design meets genuine warmth in Northampton","_copy_headline":"field_6984c9b4ad53c","stage":"3.0","_stage":"field_6984c9bcad53d","gmb_business":"Nursing home","_gmb_business":"field_69a771cc07ed9","copy_intro":"Visitors to Squires Mews Care Home in Northampton often mention feeling welcomed the moment they step through the door. The combination of hotel-standard surroundings and staff who take time to chat creates an atmosphere that helps ease those first conversations about care. Set in the East Midlands, this home brings together comfortable living spaces with structured daily activities.","_copy_intro":"field_69a7744107eda","copy_facilities":"The standard of cleanliness and maintenance gets regular mentions from visitors, who appreciate the attention to detail in keeping everything fresh and well-presented. Those who've eaten here talk about restaurant-quality meals, with one visitor particularly impressed by the lunch they shared. The gardens provide peaceful outdoor space, and there's a salon on site for residents who enjoy a regular pamper.","_copy_facilities":"field_69a7745807edc","copy_management":"Staff come across as genuinely interested in getting to know potential residents and their families during initial visits. The team seems to prioritise creating a welcoming first impression, with multiple visitors commenting on how attentive staff were during their tours.","_copy_management":"field_69a7746a07edd","copy_specialisms":"The home cares for adults both under and over 65, including those living with dementia, physical disabilities, and sensory impairments. This range means the home is set up to support people with varying needs under one roof.","_copy_specialisms":"field_69a7747507ede","copy_closing":"With its blend of comfortable surroundings and structured daily life, Squires Mews offers families in Northampton something to consider carefully.","_copy_closing":"field_69a7749607ee0","address_1":"488 Kettering Road","_address_1":"field_6984c77407f13","town_city":"Northampton","_town_city":"field_6984c78607f15","local_authority":"West Northamptonshire","_local_authority":"field_6984c86cad522","cqc_report_date":"2025-07-24T13:37:23Z","_cqc_report_date":"field_6984c87aad523","service_type":"Residential home","_service_type":"field_6984c89fad527","cqc_link":"https:\/\/www.cqc.org.uk\/location\/1-14325866832","_cqc_link":"field_6984c886ad524","sitelink":"https:\/\/www.averyhealthcare.co.uk\/care-homes\/northamptonshire\/northampton\/squires-mews\/","_sitelink":"field_6984c8a6ad528","service_provider":"Artisan Care Northampton Limited","_service_provider":"field_6984c8adad529","regional_location":"East Midlands","_regional_location":"field_6984c8bbad52a","gmb_image":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/p\/AF1QipOtcGxqNAG0l3Nd5gytvniw2OZ4QihbgtL68FSA","_gmb_image":"field_6984c8f2ad52e","gmb_link":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Squires+Mews+Care+Home\/@52.2648719,-0.864798,17z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4877090bed0701af:0xf9877db7d6e5a36d!8m2!3d52.2648719!4d-0.864798!16s%2Fg%2F11sj29j3ns","_gmb_link":"field_6984c913ad531","dementia":"1.0","_dementia":"field_6984c93dad534","cqc_rating":"Good","_cqc_rating":"field_6984c948ad535","cqc_score":"2.0","_cqc_score":"field_6984c96bad536","star_rating_count":"12.0","_star_rating_count":"field_6984c9aaad53b","copy_what_people_say":"People describe walking into spaces that feel more like a boutique hotel than a care setting, with thoughtful touches throughout. The activity timetable catches visitors' eyes, showing everything from movie afternoons in the dedicated cinema room to regular entertainment. Staff members are noted for their warm approach during tours, taking time to answer questions and show families around properly.","_copy_what_people_say":"field_69a7744a07edb","copy_dementia_":"For people living with dementia, the structured activity programme and dedicated spaces such as the cinema room can help provide routine and stimulation. The environment, with clear signposting, may help your parent navigate more confidently day to day.","_copy_dementia_":"field_69a7748807edf","postcode_relationship":"15832","_postcode_relationship":"field_69bb02cad9442","latitude":"52.2645","_latitude":"field_69875b180a63e","longitude":"-0.865282","_longitude":"field_69875b210a63f","_dcc_cqc_beds":"59","_dcc_cqc_rating_safe":"","_dcc_cqc_rating_effective":"","_dcc_cqc_rating_caring":"","_dcc_cqc_rating_responsive":"","_dcc_cqc_rating_well_led":"","_dcc_cqc_report_date":"","_dcc_cqc_previous_rating":"","_dcc_cqc_trajectory":"","_dcc_cqc_enforcement":"none","_dcc_cqc_api_updated":"2026-05-12 14:08:51","_dcc_web_scan_blocked":"0","_dcc_web_dementia_activities":"0","_dcc_web_staff_training":"0","_dcc_web_fees_info":"1","_dcc_web_activities_programme":"0","_dcc_web_staff_profiles":"0","_dcc_web_photo_gallery":"0","_dcc_web_cqc_link":"1","_dcc_web_dementia_mention_reviews":"0","_dcc_web_scan_updated":"2026-05-12 14:08:52","specialisms_0_specialism_name":"The home cares for adults both under and over 65","_specialisms_0_specialism_name":"field_69873d768bae1","specialisms_1_specialism_name":"including those living with dementia","_specialisms_1_specialism_name":"field_69873d768bae1","specialisms_2_specialism_name":"physical disabilities","_specialisms_2_specialism_name":"field_69873d768bae1","specialisms":"3","_specialisms":"field_6984c896ad526","_dcc_score_p1":"55","_dcc_score_p2":"50","_dcc_score_p3":"56","_dcc_score_p4":"67","_dcc_score_p5":"40","_dcc_composite_score":"54.25","_dcc_score_band":"developing","_dcc_score_updated":"2026-05-12 14:08:52","cqcbc_location_id":"1-14325866832","cqcbc_provider_id":"1-14240053620","cqcbc_provider_name":"Squires Mews Care Home","cqcbc_brand_name":"BRAND Avery","cqcbc_local_authority":"West Northamptonshire","cqcbc_address_line1":"488 Kettering Road","cqcbc_town_city":"Northampton","cqcbc_county":"","cqcbc_region":"East Midlands","cqcbc_postcode":"NN3 6QP","cqcbc_latitude":"","cqcbc_longitude":"","cqcbc_phone":"01604277002","cqcbc_website":"https:\/\/www.averyhealthcare.co.uk\/care-homes\/northamptonshire\/northampton\/squires-mews\/","cqcbc_registration_status":"Registered","cqcbc_registration_date":"2022-12-30","cqcbc_dormancy":"N","cqcbc_number_of_beds":"59","cqcbc_service_type":"Residential homes","cqcbc_specialisms":"Caring for adults over 65 yrs, Caring for adults under 65 yrs, Dementia, Physical disabilities, Sensory impairment","cqcbc_regulated_activities":"Accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care","cqcbc_overall_rating":"Good","cqcbc_overall_report_date":"","cqcbc_overall_report_link_id":"","cqcbc_rating_safe":"Good","cqcbc_rating_effective":"Good","cqcbc_rating_caring":"Good","cqcbc_rating_responsive":"Good","cqcbc_rating_well_led":"Good","cqcbc_previous_overall_rating":"","cqcbc_rating_trend":"stable","cqcbc_inspection_count":"0","cqcbc_last_report_date":"2025-06-02","cqcbc_last_inspection_date":"2025-06-02","cqcbc_latest_report_link_id":"","cqcbc_fetched_at":"2026-05-07 09:10:23","cqcbc_family_score":"72","cqcbc_score_staff_warmth":"72","cqcbc_score_compassion_dignity":"72","cqcbc_score_resident_happiness":"70","cqcbc_score_cleanliness":"70","cqcbc_score_management_leadership":"72","cqcbc_score_activities_engagement":"70","cqcbc_score_food_quality":"70","cqcbc_score_healthcare":"70","cqcbc_score_explanation":"Squires Mews Care Home was rated Good across all five inspection domains at its assessment in June 2025, which is a positive baseline. However, the published report contains very limited specific detail, so scores reflect confirmed Good ratings rather than rich observational evidence.","cqcbc_checklist_verified":"[{\"title\":\"Registered manager in post\",\"detail\":\"A named registered manager, Miss Heidi Leigh Smith, is recorded as in post at the time of the inspection, alongside a nominated individual, Mrs Natasha Southall.\",\"source\":\"Inspection registration record\"}]","cqcbc_checklist_mentioned":"[{\"title\":\"Staff described as warm and welcoming\",\"detail\":\"The home received a Good rating for Caring, which covers staff warmth and dignity. No specific observations or quotes are included in the published findings to confirm this in detail.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Staff respond to distress appropriately\",\"detail\":\"A Good Caring rating suggests inspectors were satisfied with how staff responded to people, but no specific incidents or observations are described in the published text.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Residents not rushed\",\"detail\":\"The Good Caring rating implies unhurried care, but the published report does not include direct observations confirming this.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Good food quality with choice\",\"detail\":\"Food and nutrition sit within the Effective domain, which was rated Good. No specific detail about menus, choice, or mealtime experience is recorded in the published findings.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Clean, hygienic premises\",\"detail\":\"Cleanliness falls within the Safe domain, which was rated Good. No specific inspector observations about the condition of the premises are included.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Varied activity programme\",\"detail\":\"Activities are assessed under the Responsive domain, which was rated Good. The existing home description references a cinema room and structured activity programme, but the inspection text itself does not detail this.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Visible, approachable management\",\"detail\":\"A Good Well-led rating and a named registered manager suggest visible leadership, but no specific examples of manager presence or staff feedback are included in the published text.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Privacy and dignity respected\",\"detail\":\"Dignity and respect are central to the Caring domain, which was rated Good. No specific observations, such as staff knocking before entering rooms, are described.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Dementia-friendly environment\",\"detail\":\"The home lists dementia as a specialism. The existing description mentions clear signposting, but the inspection report itself does not assess the physical environment in detail.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Care plans reflect individual preferences\",\"detail\":\"Person-centred care planning sits within the Effective domain, rated Good. No specific examples of care plan content are referenced in the published findings.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Home learns from incidents\",\"detail\":\"Governance and learning from incidents fall under Well-led, which was rated Good. No specific examples of incident reviews or improvements are described.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Staffing levels adequate\",\"detail\":\"Staffing is assessed under the Safe domain, which was rated Good. No staffing ratios, rota detail, or observations about cover are included in the published text.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Staff trained in dementia care\",\"detail\":\"Training sits within the Effective domain, rated Good. No detail about dementia-specific training content or completion rates is included.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Communication with families\",\"detail\":\"Family communication is assessed under Responsive, which was rated Good. No specific examples of how the home keeps families informed are included in the published findings.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Families welcomed\",\"detail\":\"No specific mention of visiting arrangements, open-door policies, or family involvement is made in the published inspection text.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"},{\"title\":\"Medicines management\",\"detail\":\"Medicines management is assessed under Safe, which was rated Good. No specific detail about processes, errors, or audits is included in the published text.\",\"source\":\"Domain rating, inspection findings\"}]","cqcbc_checklist_not_assessed":"[{\"title\":\"End-of-life plans in place\",\"detail\":\"End-of-life care planning is not referenced in the published inspection findings. Ask the home how it approaches advance care planning and whether plans are reviewed with families.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Care plan review frequency\",\"detail\":\"The inspection does not state how often care plans are formally reviewed or updated. Ask the manager what triggers a review and how often families are involved.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Night staffing numbers\",\"detail\":\"No detail about night staffing ratios is included in the published findings. Ask how many carers and senior staff are on duty overnight for the 59 beds, particularly on the dementia unit if there is one.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Agency staff usage\",\"detail\":\"The report does not reference reliance on agency staff. Ask what proportion of shifts in the last month were covered by agency workers, and whether the same agency workers return regularly.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"Outdoor space and gardens\",\"detail\":\"No mention of outdoor access or garden space is made in the published inspection text. Ask to be shown the outdoor areas on your visit, and whether people with dementia can access them safely without staff unlocking doors each time.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"},{\"title\":\"One-to-one activities for people who cannot join groups\",\"detail\":\"The inspection does not address individual activity provision for people with advanced dementia or those who cannot engage with group sessions. Ask what happens for your parent on a day when group activities are not suitable for them.\",\"source\":\"Ask the home directly\"}]","cqcbc_verdict":"Squires Mews Care Home at 488 Kettering Road, Northampton was assessed as Good across all five inspection domains at its most recent assessment on 2 June 2025, with the report published in July 2025. The home supports up to 59 people, including those living with dementia, physical disabilities, and sensory impairments, and has a registered manager in post. A Good rating across every domain is a meaningful baseline: it means inspectors were satisfied with safety, care quality, staff practice, how the home responds to individual needs, and how it is led.\n\nThe main limitation of this report is the amount of published detail. The inspection text does not include specific observations, quotes from people living at the home or their families, or data on staffing ratios, activity schedules, or care plan quality. This means the Good ratings confirm a satisfactory picture but do not tell you much about what daily life actually looks like. When you visit, ask to see a recent staffing rota (including nights), find out how care plans are reviewed and whether families are involved, and spend time observing how staff interact with people during an unstructured part of the day such as after a meal.","cqcbc_domain_safe":"{\"found\":\"The Safe domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. This covers staffing levels, medicines management, safeguarding, and infection control. The published report does not include specific observations about any of these areas. A Good rating means inspectors found no significant concerns, but the absence of published detail means it is not possible to describe exactly what was observed. A named registered manager was confirmed in post at the time of assessment.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"A Good safety rating is reassuring, but it is worth knowing that Good Practice research consistently identifies night staffing as the point where safety is most likely to slip in care homes. For a 59-bed home caring for people with dementia, knowing how many permanent staff are on duty overnight is one of the most practical questions you can ask. Our review data also shows that agency staff reliance is a concern families raise frequently, because unfamiliar faces at night can be distressing for people with dementia. The inspection does not address either of these points directly, so you will need to ask.\",\"evidence_base\":\"The IFF Research and Leeds Beckett University rapid evidence review found that night staffing ratios and the consistency of staff identity (rather than just total headcount) are among the strongest predictors of safety outcomes for people living with dementia in residential settings.\",\"watch_out\":\"Ask the manager to show you the actual staffing rota for the last two weeks, not just the template. Count permanent staff versus agency cover specifically on night shifts, and ask what the minimum number of staff on duty overnight is for the whole building.\"}","cqcbc_domain_effective":"{\"found\":\"The Effective domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. This domain covers care planning, staff training, healthcare access, and nutrition. No specific detail about any of these areas is included in the published report. A Good rating means inspectors were satisfied that the home was meeting the standard, but it is not possible from the published text to describe what care plans contain, how often they are reviewed, or what dementia training staff have completed.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"Good Practice research is clear that care plans should function as living documents, updated as a person's needs change and reviewed with families, not filed away after admission. For your parent, this means asking whether their individual history, preferences, and daily routines are written into their care plan, and whether you will be asked to contribute to reviews. Food quality is also assessed here: our review data shows it features in 20.9% of positive family reviews, so it is worth attending a mealtime on your visit to see what is actually served and how much choice people have. The inspection does not provide this level of detail, so observe it yourself.\",\"evidence_base\":\"The Leeds Beckett evidence review identified regular, family-inclusive care plan reviews and dementia-specific training (covering communication, behaviour as communication, and end-of-life needs) as two of the most reliable markers of effective care for people living with dementia.\",\"watch_out\":\"Ask the manager what dementia training staff complete, how recently it was updated, and whether it covers communication with people who have lost verbal ability. Ask to see a sample care plan (anonymised) to check whether it reflects a real person's history and preferences or reads as a template.\"}","cqcbc_domain_caring":"{\"found\":\"The Caring domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. This covers staff warmth, dignity, respect, and whether people are supported to maintain independence. The published report contains no specific observations about staff interactions, no quotes from people living at the home, and no descriptions of how dignity was upheld in practice. A Good rating indicates inspectors were satisfied, but the detail that would allow a family to picture daily care is absent from the published findings.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"Staff warmth is the single biggest driver of positive family reviews in our data, mentioned in 57.3% of all positive reviews, and compassion and dignity follow closely at 55.2%. These are the things families notice most and remember longest. What the research tells us is that person-led care depends on staff knowing your parent as an individual, including their preferred name, their history, and how they communicate when words become difficult. Because the inspection does not include observations or quotes, you will need to gather your own evidence on a visit. Watch how staff move through communal areas: are they hurried or unhurried? Do they make eye contact and use the person's name?\",\"evidence_base\":\"The Good Practice evidence review found that non-verbal communication, including eye contact, touch, and tone of voice, is as important as verbal interaction for people with dementia, and that staff who have been trained in this are observably different in their daily interactions.\",\"watch_out\":\"During your visit, spend at least 20 minutes in a communal area without the manager present. Notice whether staff greet people by name, pause to engage rather than passing through, and respond calmly to anyone who appears anxious or distressed. This is something you can observe directly and it will tell you more than any document.\"}","cqcbc_domain_responsive":"{\"found\":\"The Responsive domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. This domain covers activities, individual engagement, response to complaints, and end-of-life care. The published report does not describe the activity programme, individual engagement practices, or how end-of-life wishes are recorded. The home's existing description references a cinema room and structured activities, but these are not confirmed by inspection observations in the published text.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"Activities and engagement feature in 21.4% of positive family reviews, and resident happiness in 27.1%. For someone living with dementia, what matters most is not whether there is a scheduled activities board but whether there is something meaningful to do on a quiet Tuesday afternoon when your parent does not want to join a group. Good Practice research points to the value of individual, tailored engagement, including everyday tasks such as folding, sorting, or simple cooking, as a way of maintaining identity and reducing distress. The inspection does not tell us whether Squires Mews does this. Ask the activities coordinator directly what they would offer your parent on a day when groups are not suitable.\",\"evidence_base\":\"The Leeds Beckett evidence review found that Montessori-based and household-task activity approaches produce measurably better wellbeing outcomes for people with moderate to advanced dementia than group-only scheduled programmes, particularly for people who cannot initiate activity independently.\",\"watch_out\":\"Ask to meet the activities coordinator and ask them to describe what they would do with your parent on a day when your parent was unsettled and could not join a group. Ask how many one-to-one sessions are offered each week and whether these are recorded in the care plan.\"}","cqcbc_domain_well_led":"{\"found\":\"The Well-led domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. A registered manager, Miss Heidi Leigh Smith, is confirmed in post, and Mrs Natasha Southall is listed as the nominated individual. The published report does not describe management visibility, staff culture, governance processes, or how the home responds to complaints and incidents. A Good rating means inspectors found no significant leadership concerns, but no specific evidence of what good leadership looks like at this home is included in the published text.\",\"quotes\":[],\"family_meaning\":\"Good Practice research is consistent on one point: leadership stability is one of the strongest predictors of care quality over time. A named manager in post is a good sign, but what families in our review data value most (referenced in 23.4% of positive reviews) is a manager who is visible and approachable, not just someone whose name is on the certificate. The absence of published detail here means you will need to form your own impression. Ask how long the current manager has been in post, whether there have been significant staffing changes in the last year, and how the home communicates with families when something goes wrong.\",\"evidence_base\":\"The IFF Research review identified manager tenure and the degree to which staff feel able to raise concerns without fear as two of the most reliable leading indicators of sustained care quality, more predictive than any single inspection finding.\",\"watch_out\":\"Ask the manager directly how long they have been in post at this home, and ask what changes they have made since arriving. A manager who can describe specific improvements is more reassuring than one who gives a general answer about commitment to quality.\"}","cqcbc_ai_generated_date":"2026-05-07 09:10:23","_seopress_titles_title":"Squires Mews Care Home – Dementia, Residential, Respite & Nursing Home in Northampton, Northamptonshire","_seopress_titles_desc":"If you live near Northampton, Northamptonshire, Dementia Care Choices walks with you through every stage of Dementia. From the first signs of Dementia to finding the right care home, we help you stay informed and organised throughout,","cqcbc_safe_found":"The Safe domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. This covers staffing levels, medicines management, safeguarding, and infection control. The published report does not include specific observations about any of these areas. A Good rating means inspectors found no significant concerns, but the absence of published detail means it is not possible to describe exactly what was observed. A named registered manager was confirmed in post at the time of assessment.","cqcbc_safe_family_meaning":"A Good safety rating is reassuring, but it is worth knowing that Good Practice research consistently identifies night staffing as the point where safety is most likely to slip in care homes. For a 59-bed home caring for people with dementia, knowing how many permanent staff are on duty overnight is one of the most practical questions you can ask. Our review data also shows that agency staff reliance is a concern families raise frequently, because unfamiliar faces at night can be distressing for people with dementia. The inspection does not address either of these points directly, so you will need to ask.","cqcbc_safe_evidence_base":"The IFF Research and Leeds Beckett University rapid evidence review found that night staffing ratios and the consistency of staff identity (rather than just total headcount) are among the strongest predictors of safety outcomes for people living with dementia in residential settings.","cqcbc_safe_watch_out":"Ask the manager to show you the actual staffing rota for the last two weeks, not just the template. Count permanent staff versus agency cover specifically on night shifts, and ask what the minimum number of staff on duty overnight is for the whole building.","cqcbc_effective_found":"The Effective domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. This domain covers care planning, staff training, healthcare access, and nutrition. No specific detail about any of these areas is included in the published report. A Good rating means inspectors were satisfied that the home was meeting the standard, but it is not possible from the published text to describe what care plans contain, how often they are reviewed, or what dementia training staff have completed.","cqcbc_effective_family_meaning":"Good Practice research is clear that care plans should function as living documents, updated as a person's needs change and reviewed with families, not filed away after admission. For your parent, this means asking whether their individual history, preferences, and daily routines are written into their care plan, and whether you will be asked to contribute to reviews. Food quality is also assessed here: our review data shows it features in 20.9% of positive family reviews, so it is worth attending a mealtime on your visit to see what is actually served and how much choice people have. The inspection does not provide this level of detail, so observe it yourself.","cqcbc_effective_evidence_base":"The Leeds Beckett evidence review identified regular, family-inclusive care plan reviews and dementia-specific training (covering communication, behaviour as communication, and end-of-life needs) as two of the most reliable markers of effective care for people living with dementia.","cqcbc_effective_watch_out":"Ask the manager what dementia training staff complete, how recently it was updated, and whether it covers communication with people who have lost verbal ability. Ask to see a sample care plan (anonymised) to check whether it reflects a real person's history and preferences or reads as a template.","cqcbc_caring_found":"The Caring domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. This covers staff warmth, dignity, respect, and whether people are supported to maintain independence. The published report contains no specific observations about staff interactions, no quotes from people living at the home, and no descriptions of how dignity was upheld in practice. A Good rating indicates inspectors were satisfied, but the detail that would allow a family to picture daily care is absent from the published findings.","cqcbc_caring_family_meaning":"Staff warmth is the single biggest driver of positive family reviews in our data, mentioned in 57.3% of all positive reviews, and compassion and dignity follow closely at 55.2%. These are the things families notice most and remember longest. What the research tells us is that person-led care depends on staff knowing your parent as an individual, including their preferred name, their history, and how they communicate when words become difficult. Because the inspection does not include observations or quotes, you will need to gather your own evidence on a visit. Watch how staff move through communal areas: are they hurried or unhurried? Do they make eye contact and use the person's name?","cqcbc_caring_evidence_base":"The Good Practice evidence review found that non-verbal communication, including eye contact, touch, and tone of voice, is as important as verbal interaction for people with dementia, and that staff who have been trained in this are observably different in their daily interactions.","cqcbc_caring_watch_out":"During your visit, spend at least 20 minutes in a communal area without the manager present. Notice whether staff greet people by name, pause to engage rather than passing through, and respond calmly to anyone who appears anxious or distressed. This is something you can observe directly and it will tell you more than any document.","cqcbc_responsive_found":"The Responsive domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. This domain covers activities, individual engagement, response to complaints, and end-of-life care. The published report does not describe the activity programme, individual engagement practices, or how end-of-life wishes are recorded. The home's existing description references a cinema room and structured activities, but these are not confirmed by inspection observations in the published text.","cqcbc_responsive_family_meaning":"Activities and engagement feature in 21.4% of positive family reviews, and resident happiness in 27.1%. For someone living with dementia, what matters most is not whether there is a scheduled activities board but whether there is something meaningful to do on a quiet Tuesday afternoon when your parent does not want to join a group. Good Practice research points to the value of individual, tailored engagement, including everyday tasks such as folding, sorting, or simple cooking, as a way of maintaining identity and reducing distress. The inspection does not tell us whether Squires Mews does this. Ask the activities coordinator directly what they would offer your parent on a day when groups are not suitable.","cqcbc_responsive_evidence_base":"The Leeds Beckett evidence review found that Montessori-based and household-task activity approaches produce measurably better wellbeing outcomes for people with moderate to advanced dementia than group-only scheduled programmes, particularly for people who cannot initiate activity independently.","cqcbc_responsive_watch_out":"Ask to meet the activities coordinator and ask them to describe what they would do with your parent on a day when your parent was unsettled and could not join a group. Ask how many one-to-one sessions are offered each week and whether these are recorded in the care plan.","cqcbc_well_led_found":"The Well-led domain was rated Good at the June 2025 inspection. A registered manager, Miss Heidi Leigh Smith, is confirmed in post, and Mrs Natasha Southall is listed as the nominated individual. The published report does not describe management visibility, staff culture, governance processes, or how the home responds to complaints and incidents. A Good rating means inspectors found no significant leadership concerns, but no specific evidence of what good leadership looks like at this home is included in the published text.","cqcbc_well_led_family_meaning":"Good Practice research is consistent on one point: leadership stability is one of the strongest predictors of care quality over time. A named manager in post is a good sign, but what families in our review data value most (referenced in 23.4% of positive reviews) is a manager who is visible and approachable, not just someone whose name is on the certificate. The absence of published detail here means you will need to form your own impression. Ask how long the current manager has been in post, whether there have been significant staffing changes in the last year, and how the home communicates with families when something goes wrong.","cqcbc_well_led_evidence_base":"The IFF Research review identified manager tenure and the degree to which staff feel able to raise concerns without fear as two of the most reliable leading indicators of sustained care quality, more predictive than any single inspection finding.","cqcbc_well_led_watch_out":"Ask the manager directly how long they have been in post at this home, and ask what changes they have made since arriving. A manager who can describe specific improvements is more reassuring than one who gives a general answer about commitment to quality.","pp_cqc_url":"https:\/\/www.cqc.org.uk\/location\/1-14325866832","_edit_lock":"1778138781:1"}

The home cares for adults both under and over 65, including those living with dementia, physical disabilities, and sensory impairments. This range means the home is set up to support people with varying needs under one roof.

Management & ethos

Staff come across as genuinely interested in getting to know potential residents and their families during initial visits. The team seems to prioritise creating a welcoming first impression, with multiple visitors commenting on how attentive staff were during their tours.

The home & environment

DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.