Updated 16 January 2026
Date of assessment: 27 January to 28 January 2026. This assessment was a follow up from the previous assessment where the service was found to be in breach of regulations relating to safe care and treatment and good governance.
Cockington House is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 6 people living with a learning disability and autistic people. Accommodation is provided over 2 floors. A communal lounge with a dining room, and kitchen are based on the ground floor. At the time of our assessment there were 5 people using the service who were in receipt of a regulated activity.
This was a focused assessment, following up on areas of concern found at the last assessment.
We assessed the service against the ‘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 that most people take for granted.
Right Support:
People were not all encouraged to lead their lives in their chosen way and take control of decisions about their care. Independence was not effectively encouraged or supported. People were not supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, but staff did support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies in the service supported this practice.
People were not consistently kept safe. The environment was not kept hygienically clean, and people were not consistently supported appropriately with continence and personal hygiene. Staff did not always manage medicines well, but people had regular health checks and medication reviews.
The registered manager and staff did not support people with positive risk taking, to take part in activities in their local community, and try new things. The registered manager and staff team did not all have the right skills, qualifications, and experience. Managers had failed to make sure their own continuous development, and that of the staff team, was effective and current to maintain high-quality care.
Right Care:
People received dignified care that respected their privacy, but care and support was not always person-centred. Individualised care and support plans were in place and contained accurate information that enabled staff to provide appropriate and safe care for each person. However, evidence showed that personalised care was not always being followed. People’s preferred communication styles were known and respected. Staff knew what people were communicating by patterns of actions, gestures, or sounds.
Right Culture:
Leaders had not created a culture that promoted people’s rights, independence, and inclusion. The values and within the service did not consistently focus on enabling people to live meaningful, fulfilling lives. Staff and managers did not demonstrate a shared vision of providing person‑centred support that prioritised choice, enjoyment, and a good quality of life