Squirrel Lodge, Lowestoft
CQC Inspection Breakdown
| Safe | Good |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Good |
About Squirrel Lodge
: Squirrel Lodge provides accommodation and personal care for up to 24 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. At the time of our visit 22 people were using the service.What life is like for people using this service: People who live at Squirrel Lodge have their needs met by sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff. People told us staff were kind, caring and knew them as individuals. Medicines were managed and administered safely.
Source: CQC inspection report
Specialisms
About Squirrel Lodge
Squirrel Lodge provides personal care in Lowestoft, Suffolk, supporting residents to live with dignity and independence. The home is operated by Squirrel Lodge Limited and can accommodate up to 24 residents. Following their most recent inspection on 17/09/2019, the Care Quality Commission rated Squirrel Lodge as Good. Across the five inspection categories, the home scored Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led. The home caters to a range of care needs, including sensory impairments, dementia, caring for adults over 65 yrs and physical disabilities. The service supports dementia, older people, physical disability, sensory impairment. Regulated activities at the home include accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care and diagnostic and screening procedures and treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The NR33 postcode area has 13 registered care homes with a combined 395 beds — so there are options to compare in the local area.
Finding the right care home is a deeply personal decision, and we hope this information helps you and your family feel more confident as you explore your options. Every person deserves care that respects their individuality, and the right home will feel welcoming from the moment you walk through the door.
Squirrel Lodge is one of the care homes in Suffolk — a local authority with 197 CQC-registered homes, 144 of which are rated Good or Outstanding.
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Further Reading & Official Sources
- Official CQC inspection report for Squirrel Lodge
- View Squirrel Lodge on Google Maps
- NHS care home finder near NR33 0PD
We link to official and independent sources so families can verify the information on this page.
What to Expect When Visiting
When visiting a residential care home, pay attention to the atmosphere as much as the facilities. The best homes feel warm, unhurried, and genuinely caring — like a place where your loved one could feel at home.
- Try to visit at different times of day, including mealtimes, to see the home in action.
- Speak with staff and, if possible, current residents or their families about their experience.
- Ask how the home supports residents who may need nursing care in the future.
- Look at the communal spaces — do they feel welcoming, clean, and well-used?
- Check whether outside spaces are secure and whether activities are tailored for people with dementia.
- Assess the accessibility of corridors, bathrooms, and outdoor areas for wheelchair users.
Questions to Ask When Visiting
It can be hard to know what to ask during a care home visit. Here are some questions tailored to Squirrel Lodge's type of care that may help guide your conversation:
- 1 What happens if a resident's care needs increase beyond what you can provide?
- 2 How do you support residents to stay active and connected to their community?
- 3 Can residents personalise their rooms with their own furniture and belongings?
- 4 What does a typical day look like for someone living here?
For a more complete checklist, see our guide to choosing a care home.
Official CQC Inspection Report
The Care Quality Commission last inspected Squirrel Lodge on 17/09/2019 and rated it Good. The full report includes detailed findings on safety, staffing, and quality of care.
Read the full CQC reportWhat families typically look for
- - How friendly and attentive the care staff are day-to-day
- - What activities and social events are available for residents
- - How the home handles changing care needs over time
- - Specialist dementia training and secure outdoor spaces
These reflect common priorities we see from families researching care homes. For personalised advice, we recommend visiting in person and speaking to current families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a resident's care needs increase beyond what you can provide?
CQC rated Squirrel Lodge as Good for Responsive care on 17/09/2019, which includes how the home adapts to residents' changing needs. Ask what the home's protocol is when a resident needs a higher level of nursing care — whether they support a managed transition or have partnerships with local nursing homes.
How do you support residents to stay active and connected to their community?
CQC rated Squirrel Lodge as Good for Caring on 17/09/2019. This domain covers how staff support residents' emotional wellbeing, social connection, and sense of purpose. During your visit, ask to see the activities timetable and speak with current residents or their families about daily life.
Can residents personalise their rooms with their own furniture and belongings?
Most residential care homes encourage residents to bring personal furniture and belongings to make their room feel like home. When visiting Squirrel Lodge, ask about room sizes, any restrictions on furniture, and whether residents can hang pictures and decorate their space as they wish. A personalised room can make a significant difference to a resident's sense of comfort and identity.
What does a typical day look like for someone living here?
With 24 residents and care tailored to sensory impairments, daily routines at Squirrel Lodge will be shaped around individual needs. During your visit, observe the lunchtime atmosphere, ask about morning routines and whether residents have flexibility around wake-up times and meal choices, and check what a typical afternoon looks like.
What is the CQC rating for Squirrel Lodge?
Squirrel Lodge in Lowestoft is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. The most recent inspection was on 17/09/2019. The home has 24 beds.
How many beds does Squirrel Lodge have?
Squirrel Lodge has 24 beds and operates as a residential care home in Lowestoft.
Location
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Data from the Care Quality Commission, last updated March 2026. View on CQC website → How we use this data