Updated 21 January 2026
Date of Assessment: 22 January 2026 to 12 February 2026. We visited the home on 22, 28 January and 12 February 2026. The service is a residential care home providing support to up to 18 people with a learning disability and autistic people. The service operates from 3 houses joined by internal corridors and a separate self-contained flat in the grounds. Each of the houses provides an individual service for up to 6 people. These are residential care, short breaks (respite) and 'Stepping Stones' which supports people to develop their independent living skills. At the last inspection, we rated this home overall good.
The inspection was prompted in part by a notification of an incident, following which a person using the service sustained a serious injury. This incident is subject to further investigation by CQC as to whether any regulatory action should be taken. As a result, this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. However, the information shared with CQC about the incident indicated potential concerns about the management of the risk of falls from height. This inspection examined those risks.
At this assessment the home has been rated good. However, some improvements were needed to the safety of the environment and provider oversight and quality monitoring systems. The leadership team were responsive to feedback and made immediate improvements.
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 that most people take for granted. The home is larger than recommended, although it is broken down into smaller houses which each have their own front door. The home is recognisable as a care home due to external signage and staff wear uniforms when accompanying people in the community. These elements of the home are not in keeping with the guidance. However, care was planned in a person-centred way, and the ethos and delivery of the service followed the principles of the guidance.
Safe recruitment practices were followed and there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were knowledgeable of safeguarding procedures and how to keep people safe from harm and abuse. Medicines were managed safely. The home was clean. Routines were flexible, and staff engaged people in meaningful activities. Training and development met people’s complex care and sensory needs. Staff treated people with kindness and respect and were very proactive in promoting their independence. Staff provided people with the support they needed to maintain good health and wellbeing. The culture of the service was positive. Manager’s led by example. There was a registered manager in post who worked closely with the deputy manager and was supported by the provider.