Lifeways Community Care (South London)

This assessment took place between 18 to 26 August 2026.

Lifeways Community Care (South London) provides personal care and support to people living at home. At the time of our assessment, there were 2 people receiving a homecare service from this provider. This assessment only looked at people’s personal care and support in relation to the homecare care service. The service is also registered as a supported living setting. We have undertaken a separate assessment of the supported living provision, details of which can be found on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This assessment was carried out in response to information of concern we received about the provider, which indicated possible risk to people using the service. This inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. This inspection was carried out to make sure people using the service were receiving safe and effective care.

The last rating for this service was good (published 22 February 2023). At this inspection we looked at all 33 quality statements under each of the 5 key questions. We have also 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.

Following this assessment, the service remains rated good overall.

Systems were in place to safeguard people from abuse. Staff had access to information about identified risks and understood how to manage these to keep people safe. There were enough staff whose fitness to work in adult social care had been checked. People received continuity of care from staff who were familiar with their needs, preferences and daily routines. Staff received relevant training and supervision to support them to meet people’s needs. Staff used personal protective equipment appropriately, and spot checks confirmed safe infection prevention and control practice. Medicines were safely managed.

People were involved in assessing and reviewing their care and support. They received person centred care and support based on their individual needs. Staff supported people to maintain their health and wellbeing, achieve their care goals and receive their medicines when they needed them. Staff understood the importance of obtaining consent and ensured this was done before providing care.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect. Staff were attentive to peoples expressed wishes and personal preferences in relation to how their care was provided. People were supported to have choice and control and to maintain their independence. They received information in formats that met their communication needs and were treated fairly and equally. Staff demonstrated an understanding of people’s rights and how to uphold them.

Managers were suitably skilled and knowledgeable, approachable and responsive to feedback. The provider encouraged feedback, acted on concerns, and managed complaints appropriately. The provider promoted an open and supportive culture, Managers helped staff develop in their roles, were inclusive and promoted their wellbeing. The provider operated effective systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service they provided people. The provider recognised when changes were needed to sustain improvements at the service and had invested in a new electronic records system to improve the quality and consistency of records maintained by staff. The provider was working with local healthcare partners to address identified areas for improvement and strengthen partnership working.

Date of assessment: 18 to 25 August 2026.

Lifeways Community Care (South London) provides a supported living service to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people who live in their own home. At the time of our assessment 30 people who received personal care lived in 13 different supported living accommodation located throughout South London. Lifeways Community Care (South London) was also providing a homecare service to 2 people. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate premises used for homecare or supported living. We have undertaken a separate assessment of the supported living provision, details of which can be found on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.

The last rating for this service was good (published 22 February 2023). This assessment was carried out in response to information of concern we received about the provider, which indicated possible risk to people using the service. This inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. This assessment was carried out to make sure people using the service were receiving safe and effective care. This comprehensive assessment was undertaken to look at all 33 quality statements under the 5 key questions. Following this assessment, the services rating remains good overall.

We have 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.

People were safely cared for and protected from avoidable harm. Systems and processes enabled safe care delivery. The provider collaborated with people and their families to plan care and identify risks, which were personalised and regularly reviewed. Staff understood how to raise safeguarding concerns. There were enough staff whose fitness to work in adult social care had been checked. People received continuity of care from staff who were familiar with their needs, preferences and daily routines. They had the guidance and information they needed to provide good quality, person-centred care. Staff were well trained and supported. Staff used personal protective equipment appropriately, and spot checks confirmed safe infection prevention and control practice. Medicines were safely managed.

People’s needs were assessed before care began. Managers and staff worked in partnership with people and their families to develop detailed, person-centred care plans. People were involved in decisions about their care and confirmed staff always sought their consent.

Staff were caring and treated people with dignity and respect. Staff were attentive to peoples expressed wishes and personal preferences in relation to how their care was provided. People were supported to be independent when this was safe for them to do so. Staff supported people to make choices. Information was available in easy to understand and accessible formats. People consented to their care and support.

Care plans were updated in response to changes in the person’s needs. Staff adapted support quickly if a person became unwell. The provider encouraged feedback, acted on concerns, and managed complaints appropriately. The provider cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff.

Managers and staff were knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff described managers at all levels as approachable and inclusive. There were effective systems for monitoring and improving the quality of the service. The provider promoted an open and supportive culture and maintained clear oversight of care quality through spot checks, audits, reviews and regular communication with staff and the person. The provider responded well when things went wrong and staff learnt from incidents. Staff worked closely with other health and social care professionals to plan and monitor people’s care.