- Homecare service
Lifeways Community Care (South London)
Assessment report published 17 September 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
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.
People's experience of this service
We visited 3 supported living services. We spoke with 1 person using the service and 8 relatives. People and their relatives told us they were happy with the care they received and felt safe with the staff who provided it. People and their relative’s consistently said staff were kind and respectful. A person using the service said, “I am happy living here in my home.” A relative told us, “If I could move into the service I would. It has a family feel about it. There is an aura, it’s lovely.”