- Care home
Willow House
Assessment report published 2 November 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
We carried out this assessment from 29 September 2026 to 5 October 2026. This assessment was undertaken due to the length of time since the previous rating. The service was previously rated good. Following this assessment, the rating remains good.
The service is a care home without nursing, providing accommodation and personal care for up to 6 adults with a learning disability. At the time of our assessment, 6 people were living at the service.
We expect providers supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people to ensure people experience respect, equality, dignity, choice and independence, and have access to their local community. We assessed the service against the principles of ‘Right support, right care, right culture’. The provider consistently demonstrated these principles were fully embedded in practice.
People received personalised care from staff who knew them well and understood their individual needs, preferences and communication methods. Care plans were detailed and reflected how people wanted to be supported. Staff used methods including pictures and signing to help people understand information, make choices and communicate their wishes.
People were supported to maintain their independence and take part in activities that reflected their interests, including visiting the park, gym and cinema, gardening and using sensory facilities. Staff supported people to access healthcare services and records demonstrated positive outcomes where people’s health needs had required additional support.
There were systems to keep people safe. Staff were recruited safely, completed induction and training, and understood safeguarding responsibilities. Medicines were managed safely, with additional daily checks in place to identify potential discrepancies. The environment was clean and well maintained, and we observed staff following appropriate cleaning practices.
The registered manager demonstrated detailed knowledge of people living at the service and maintained oversight of care, staffing, medicines, safeguarding and quality monitoring. Staff described managers as approachable and supportive and felt confident raising concerns. The provider worked with relatives, healthcare professionals and other services to support continuity of care and improve people’s experiences.
People's experience of this service
People and their relatives spoke positively about the care and support provided at Willow House. Relatives told us people were happy, felt safe and had developed trusting relationships with staff. One relative told us about their family member experience at the home, “Yes, very happy.”
People were supported to make choices about their daily lives and take part in activities that reflected their interests. Relatives described people being supported to access the community, pursue hobbies and take part in activities within the home.
Staff knew people well and understood their individual communication needs. Where people were unable to tell us about their experiences verbally, we considered our observations of their interactions with staff alongside feedback from relatives. We observed staff treating people with kindness, patience and respect.
Relatives felt involved in people’s care and were kept informed about changes in their needs. They felt able to contact the service, provide feedback and raise concerns when needed. Overall, relatives described people as well cared for and supported by staff who understood their individual needs and preferences.