The Sycamores

Updated 5 July 2026

Our view of the service

About the service

The Sycamores is a care home. There were 8 people using the service at the time of the inspection.

Who the service is for

The Sycamores is a specialist service for autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Key findings

We carried out this assessment between 24 August and 13 September 2026. We visited the location on 24 and 29 August 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.

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.

Care was delivered in a way that encouraged people’s independence, choice and access to opportunities while continuing to reduce potential risks. For example, empowering people to access their local community safely without constant staff supervision or travelling independently. Staff recruitment practices ensured people were supported by staff who were suitable for their roles and understood people’s needs, including how to recognise and report abuse. Staff received induction and ongoing development opportunities to support them in their roles. Additional face to face training about Learning Disability and Autism awareness had been arranged for staff. This supported staff to develop their understanding as well as listen to and reflect on the experiences of autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Medicines were managed safely with regular reviews and effective oversight, including consideration of STOMP guidance. STOMP (Stopping Over Medication of People with a Learning Disability, Autism or both) is a national initiative which promotes the appropriate use of medicines and regular reviews to reduce unnecessary medicines.

The environment was clean and personalised, although action was ongoing to address damp on an outside wall, resolve a wasp infestation and complete planned redecoration work.

People can only be deprived of their liberty where this is necessary and authorised through the appropriate legal framework. We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and how Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) were managed. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions and had choice and control over their lives. However, records relating to mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions required greater detail to better demonstrate involvement in decision making. Staff understood people’s rights and the importance of using the least restrictive approach.

People received effective care based on detailed assessments of their needs and preferences. Staff understood the importance of seeking consent and supporting people to make their own choices. People were involved in decisions about their care and the running of the home such as menu planning and how to spend their time. Regular key worker meetings helped review people’s experiences and progress towards goals.

People told us they were supported to access healthcare services when required. Staff worked alongside health and social care professionals to monitor people’s wellbeing and ensure support remained appropriate.

We identified the use of positive and respectful language could be improved within the electronic system and some aspects of care plans. Leaders were open to reviewing this with a view to implementing change. Staff told us they would benefit from further support to use the electronic care planning system more effectively, including addressing connectivity issues and the time required for recording care outcomes.

People spoke highly about living at the service and the support they received. People and relatives told us staff were kind, caring and respectful and had developed positive relationships. People appeared comfortable, relaxed and confident within their home environment.

People were supported in a person-centred way to maintain and develop their independence. Staff promoted equality, dignity, choice and inclusion, supporting people to be active members of their local community. This included opportunities for employment, shopping, visiting family and taking part in activities that were important to them, such as attending live music events, circus shows, theme parks and visiting the local pub.

People were encouraged to pursue personal goals, make their own choices and lead fulfilling lives. The principles of Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture were embedded throughout the service and reflected in staff practice and interactions.

Communication was adapted to meet people’s needs through the use of photographs, easy read information and Makaton. Makaton is a communication method which uses signs, symbols and speech together to support understanding and expression. People knew how to raise concerns and told us they felt confident to do so.

The service was well-led, with a warm and welcoming culture where positive and respectful relationships between people and staff were evident. Leaders maintained a visible presence within the home. Staff understood the provider’s values and applied them consistently in practice.

Effective governance and oversight systems supported continuous improvement through regular audits, action planning and ongoing review.

A positive learning culture was promoted, with staff encouraged to develop their skills, reflect on practice and identify opportunities for improvement. The management team responded positively to feedback from people, relatives and professionals. Where improvements had been identified, action had been taken or plans were in place to address them, including environmental improvements and maintenance works within the home.

Updated 5 July 2026

We gathered people's experiences through visits to the service, observation of daily life, conversations with people and staff and the use of Makaton for people who communicated this way. We observed interactions throughout the inspection and spent time with people in communal areas while they went about their usual routines.

People spoke positively about living at the service and described active and meaningful lives. One person told us, "I am really happy living here and like the staff and the people and my life." Another person described their busy lifestyle, including travelling independently by bus to work at a restaurant. They spoke proudly about their job and told us about the places they passed on their journey. People were excited when discussing upcoming events and activities including a craft fair, live music, a circus, holidays, theatre shows and day trips.

People's interests and personal goals were supported. People spoke about attending festivals and other music events, drama clubs, gardening, bowling, table tennis, employment, church groups and day services. One person told us about performing in a show and attending an ABBA event where they enjoyed dancing. Another person was looking forward to a holiday and spoke enthusiastically about going on roller coasters and go-karting. Relatives consistently described people as leading full and varied lives based on their individual interests and preferences.

We observed people being actively involved in everyday household tasks. One person returned from shopping and helped put groceries away. Staff encouraged them to think through where items should be stored and patiently supported them to make their own decisions. The person discussed meals they enjoyed and showed us a pictorial menu to identify the evening meal. We also observed people preparing food for others. One person independently made a large salad for the evening meal while others prepared potatoes or helped cook the meat, laid the table and prepared drinks.

We observed people deciding whether to attend local events, discussing how to spend their budgets and helping plan future meals and activities. During one discussion, people talked together about attending live music, buying cakes and planning a Mexican themed evening because they enjoyed tacos. Staff supported people to consider options and make their own decisions rather than making decisions for them. Relatives told us their family members led very busy and meaningful lives. One relative said, “[My family member] attends college courses 3 days a week, helps in the house 1 day and the other days are pretty much full of what they choose to do like helping in the church group. They decide what they want to do and [staff] respect their choices.” Another relative told us, “[My Family member] is encouraged to maintain their independence when we go out with them, they are so confident and everybody knows them, even the staff in the local shop. Where possible they get about on their own. They are happy. The home has an extremely high standard of care.”

People who communicated using Makaton were included in decisions and conversations. We used Makaton to introduce ourselves, exchange names and understand people's views. One person signed that their breakfast was "good". Later, when staff discussed attending live music and buying cakes, the person signed "music", signed "good", gestured for cake and smiled. They also agreed through Makaton to walk into town rather than travel by car. We observed staff routinely using Makaton to support communication while also encouraging people to use verbal communication where appropriate.

People appeared comfortable and relaxed in the presence of staff. Staff interactions were warm, respectful and often included humour that people responded well to. We observed one person laughing repeatedly while helping with dishes as staff gently encouraged them to finish drying up when they became distracted talking. Another person sought staff support when feeling upset about a family member's health. Staff spent time listening, providing reassurance and emotional support until the person felt calmer.

People's privacy, dignity and independence were respected. One person explained they had a key to their room and chose to keep it locked when they wished. We observed staff offering support rather than taking over tasks and allowing people time to complete activities independently. One person chose to sit separately from others because this was their known preference and staff respected this choice. Another person chose not to engage in conversation and instead returned to their room, which staff accepted without pressure.

Relatives spoke positively about the impact care and support had on people's well-being. One relative described people as settled, safe and able to maintain meaningful relationships, routines and hobbies. Another relative told us their family member had lived in care services for many years and was now more settled than ever before. A third relative told us, “[My family member] has been in this particular house for just over 2 years and they have never felt as safe. The staff without a doubt know how to support them, keeping their routine helps to manage any anxieties."