A CARE home has been told to improve after officials found it was unable to demonstrate good practices in safety.

CQC inspectors visited Charles Lodge, in New Church Road, Hove, late last year and reported two of its other key services, effectiveness and leadership, also needed to improve.

The home provides care for 27 people.

The report read: “Records did not always reflect staffs’ good practice.

“Care plans, although recognising people’s specific needs, were not always detailed enough and did not always provide staff with sufficient guidance to ensure that good practice was consistent amongst the staff team.

“People told us that they felt safe. One person told us: ‘I’m safe alright. There is always someone to help me, they always come if I use the call bell. I’m never worried, staff would help me’.

“People were protected from harm and abuse. There were sufficient quantities of appropriately skilled and experienced staff who had undertaken the necessary training to enable them to recognise concerns and respond appropriately.

“The home was not consistently effective.

“People were asked their consent before being supported.

“The registered manager was aware of the legislative requirements in relation to gaining consent for people who lacked capacity, however, had not always underpinned this to ensure that formal assessments of people’s capacity had taken place.”