- Care home
United Response - 2a St Alban's Close
Report from 4 June 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
The assessment was completed 7 July to 29 July 2025. The service provides care and support for people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Four people were living at the service. The service has improved since the last inspection, moving from “Requires Improvement” to “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 protected from avoidable harm through robust safeguarding systems, safe staffing levels, and a clean, well-maintained environment. Staff were observed to be caring, competent, and responsive to people’s needs. Care plans were person-centred and regularly reviewed, with strong involvement from families and professionals. Transitions into the service were well-managed, and staff supported people to live healthier lives and access the community safely. Leaders promoted a positive culture of learning and inclusion, and staff felt supported and valued. The service was consistently well-led, with strong governance and a commitment to continuous improvement. Medication was safely administered and leaders focused on the approach to “Stop Over Medicating People with a Learning Disability” (STOMP) and there were close working relationships with health and social care professionals. Leaders had a robust and detailed oversite of the quality of care provided. Overall, the culture was open, person-centred, and focused on delivering high-quality care tailored to individual needs.
People's experience of this service
People living at the service were observed to experience warm, person-centred care in a safe and supportive environment. As people were non-verbal and unable to provide direct feedback, inspectors used the Short Observation For Inspection (SOFI) tool and gathered views from a relative and visiting professionals to understand people’s experiences.
Staff were consistently described as kind, respectful and attentive. Interactions observed were compassionate and tailored to individual needs, with staff demonstrating a deep understanding of people’s communication styles and preferences. One professional noted the team’s “high level of understanding of how to support people’s complex health and care needs,” highlighting the importance placed on meaningful sensory activities.
People were supported to make choices and maintain independence. Staff used creative approaches to enable decision-making, such as offering two clear options to empower individual’s decision making. Care plans were person-specific and reflected people’s routines, aspirations and health needs. Staff knew people well and were committed to helping them achieve their goals and be active members of their community.
The environment was homely, clean and adapted to meet individual needs. People’s rooms were personalised, and staff supported safe access to the community. Staff were observed responding promptly to people’s needs, and professionals praised the team’s responsiveness and collaborative approach to care planning.
Leaders promoted a culture of openness, learning and inclusion. Staff felt valued and supported, describing the team being “like a family.” The registered manager was seen as approachable and committed to high-quality, person-centred care.
Overall, people experienced a calm, inclusive and enabling atmosphere where their rights, dignity and individuality were respected. The service demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring people lived fulfilling lives, supported by a consistent and compassionate team.