- Homecare service
Real Life Options - Long Eaton Supported Living and Outreach
Assessment report published 29 July 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Real Life Options - Long Eaton Supported Living and Outreach is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes.
CQC only inspects where people are receiving a regulated activity. At the time of this inspection, 9 people were receiving support in line with the regulated activity of personal care personal under the assessment service group (ASG) supported living. The provider supported people under the homecare ASG, but no person in receipt of personal care at this time, therefore it was not possible to undertake an assessment.
This was the first assessment of this location since registration on 3 May 2022. This assessment was carried out in part due to us receiving concerns about how the service was run and the potential impact of that on the people who were supported. This assessment identified no risk of ongoing harm or concern to people. The provider identified where lessons had been learned in response to the concerns raised, actions had been developed and implemented and improvements made. All stakeholders provided feedback in support of this.
The service is registered for use by autistic people and people with a learning disability. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and outstanding access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right inclusive, innovative culture of continuous improvement is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and, or who are autistic. The CQC quality of life tool was used for reference by the inspector throughout the assessment.
A registered manager application was submitted by the manager with current oversight for the service prior to the assessment starting. The management team were open throughout the assessment process, quickly engaging with the inspector to develop an effective working relationship. All staff understood and were committed to the values of the organisation and consistently demonstrated this through their interactions with others.
The provider implemented systems to check and monitor all areas of their service delivery. During the assessment it was identified where some minor improvements could be made to ensure people’s most up to date information was accurate and consistently available in their care records. The provider was responsive to this feedback and considered the most effective actions to further improve their system, including staff training opportunities. Staff knew people well and were confident the communication systems in place were effective and ensured staff were up to date with any changes in people’s needs and support.
The support provider worked closely with the housing providers to promote successful tenancies for the people they supported. Some people lived in ordinary houses shared with another person, where they had their own bedrooms and shared communal areas. The provider supported people throughout the process of another person moving into their shared home. This was to ensure people were involved in the process as much as they could be and their views taken on board. Other people lived in their own flats in purpose-built accommodation. People were supported to develop relationships with their neighbours where they wished to.
Staff feedback was consistent they were happy to work for the provider. One member of staff told us, “I love going to work. Staff [team] get on, morale is great. We have a good rapport with the people we support.”
People's experience of this service
As part of this assessment, it was arranged with people receiving support to visit them in their own homes. This was facilitated by the provider, people gave their consent and, where appropriate, were supported by support staff who knew them well. It was a privilege to be able to meet people in their own homes.
People’s accommodation had been adapted as required to meet their needs. For example, equipment was in place to help people with their mobility, including overhead tracking. People were able to display information which was important to them and what they chose to share with others. For example, one person put their visual planner on the wall. This was important to them to help them navigate through their day. People were able to express themselves through decoration, furniture and wall art. One person told me of their plan to decorate their flat and to have their piano delivered. Another person had proudly put their art and craft work on show.
We were able to observe interactions between people and the staff on duty supporting them. These were positive and respectful. Staff knew people well and people knew staff well. People told us how important it was to have familiar staff to support them. People told us they liked their staff, including the local managers. People told us they liked their homes and the support provider staff.
People were supported by staff who were competent to provide care and support in line with the principles of right support, right care and right culture. People’s complex needs were assessed and staff trained to support them effectively. People were involved in planning their care and their support plans identified their goals and how these could be achieved. Specialist support was sourced where required by individuals to develop guidelines to ensure consistency of appropriate strategies to improve outcomes for people.
People were supported by familiar staff who knew them well. This was valuable to people to ensure consistency in supporting their complex health, communication and wellbeing needs. One relative told us, “It takes time for staff to get to know people and for them to know staff.” The management team confirmed all staff were employed by them, no agency staff were used.
People understood how to report any concerns they might have and were confident these would be addressed.
People and their representatives were consistently complimentary about the staff and managers employed by the provider. One relative told us. “I am kept well informed, I feel involved and staff keep in touch. I believe staff are trained well to look after [Name] and keep them safe. I have no complaints.”