- Homecare service
Barnet Mencap
Report from 30 March 2026 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment:12 February to 26 March 2026. Barnet Mencap is a home care service which provides support to adults with learning disabilities and autistic people living in the community. This was the first assessment of the newly registered service. We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities most people take for granted.
Our assessment found the service delivered good quality, person centred care. The provider protected people from avoidable harm. Staff understood and managed risks well, and there were enough trained and skilled staff to meet people’s needs. Care was effective, delivered in line with current evidence‑based guidance and specialist input such as speech and language therapy (SALT) and reablement advice, and supported by clear communication with health and social care partners.
Staff treated people with dignity and respect, and demonstrated compassion, kindness and a clear understanding of individuals’ needs, communication profiles and preferences.
The provider gave people well organised support that met their needs, promoted independence, choice and positive outcomes. Staff listened to people, responded promptly to changes, and involved them in decisions about their care. The service promoted equality, reduced inequalities, and ensured information was accessible to everyone.
Leaders created an open and supportive culture. Staff told us they were confident to raise concerns, learning was shared, and continuous improvement was encouraged. Managers used their checks and reviews effectively to make sure care stayed safe and consistent.
People's experience of this service
People spoke positively about the quality of their support and described staff as respectful, supportive, and focused on their individual needs. They told us staff listened to them, involved them in decisions, and supported them to take part in activities they enjoyed. For people who could not communicate verbally, staff used their knowledge of each person to help convey their views. A relative described the management as, “Kind, professional and astute.” Staff described people’s routines, preferences and communication profiles, showing they understood how each person expressed themselves. Support plans contained detailed information about communication, accessibility, and people’s chosen activities, which enabled staff to provide consistent person‑centred care. Where relatives, friends or advocates were involved, feedback recorded in notes and reviews was positive about the service’s communication and approachability. A relative told us, “[Barnet] Mencap have been tremendous, I don’t know what would have happened without them, we would never have coped.” People also told us they were involved, informed and comfortable raising concerns with staff, and staff reported managers acted on issues brought to them. A relative told us, “Staff are always listening to our needs and preferences and respond efficiently.”