In summary, we found that people were telling us that their needs were being met and they were supported to improve their communication and independence skills by a skilled and well-trained staff team. They told us that every effort is made by the staff to help them maintain their independence and regain confidence to help them live independently. People we spoke to said they thought the service was being well managed and systems were in place to ensure that their needs were being identified addressed. There were opportunities for people to express their views on how the service is run. They were also keen to tell us that they were given opportunities to express their preferences especially regarding choices in what food they ate or joining in with any activities.

We talked to many people during our visit and some said that although they were not always aware of the formal complaints processes but they did feel able to raise with staff any concerns that they had. Relatives told us that they felt the care at Salvington Lodge was very good and did not think their relative could be better cared for.

People who used the service said they felt secure and safe, with kind and attentive staff. They told us that they were always treated with dignity and respect and did not know of anyone that had been badly treated. People we spoke to told us that staff never hurried them and although some had only been accommodated at Salvington Lodge for a very short time they found the staff “very helpful” and “always cheerful just getting on with their jobs”. One gentleman said that the staff were “terrific” and made him feel “very safe and special”.