- Care home
23 Cecil Road
Assessment report published 29 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 18 August 2026 to 22 September 2026. 23 Cecil Road is a residential care home that provides care to younger adults with a learning disability and autistic people.
This was a planned inspection due to an aged rating. We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance. This guidance supported judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choice, independence and access to local communities that most people take for granted. The service had been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. People with a learning disability and autistic people using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. People were given choices and their independence and participation within the local community was being fully supported and encouraged.
People experienced exceptionally effective care because assessments were comprehensive, strengths-based, and centred on their individual aspirations, preferences, and goals. Staff had an in-depth understanding of each person's communication needs and consistently adapted their approach to ensure people felt listened to, valued, and fully involved in decisions about their care. Support was delivered in line with current evidence, best practice guidance, and innovative approaches, enabling people to achieve the best possible outcomes.
People received highly responsive care that was tailored to their changing needs and circumstances. Staff knew people exceptionally well and recognised subtle changes in their health, wellbeing, and behaviour, allowing for timely interventions that prevented concerns from escalating. People were fully involved in planning their care and understood the choices available to them, enabling them to make informed decisions about their desired outcomes. Staff adapted information and communication methods to ensure everyone could access information in a way that met their individual needs.
Staff worked proactively and collaboratively with healthcare professionals, families, advocates, and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for people. Transitions between services were carefully planned and coordinated, ensuring continuity of care and a seamless experience. People were supported to maintain healthy lifestyles, access healthcare services promptly, and receive sufficient nutrition and hydration to promote their wellbeing. Staff took time to ensure people understood their care and treatment options so they could provide informed consent. Where people lacked capacity, staff worked closely with relatives and professionals to ensure decisions were made in their best interests while respecting their rights, wishes, and preferences.
People and their relatives described a service that consistently responded to feedback and acted on suggestions to improve care. Feedback was actively encouraged, valued, and used as a driver for continuous improvement. People felt confident that managers listened to their views and took meaningful action when concerns or ideas were raised. Relatives spoke positively about the staff team's exceptional understanding of people's histories, preferences, routines, and aspirations, resulting in highly personalised care that reflected what mattered most to everyone.
Leaders and staff worked in genuine partnership to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. They were committed to reducing health and care inequalities and used personalised approaches to help people achieve outcomes that were meaningful to them. People with protected characteristics felt respected, valued, and supported to access the same opportunities and quality of care as others.
Staff understood safeguarding principles and received up to date training. There was a good learning culture and people confirmed they could raise any concerns. Managers investigated any incidents thoroughly. People were protected from harm and kept safe. The facilities met people’s needs, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were sufficient staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience who were chosen specifically with people’s needs in mind. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well and involved people in planning any changes with their care needs.
People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff balanced safety with maintaining independence and dignity. They treated people as individuals and supported their preferences. People had complete choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships with family and friends. Staff responded to people in a timely way. The provider supported staff wellbeing.
Leaders and staff had a shared vision and an inclusive culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were very visible, described as being both knowledgeable and extremely supportive, helping staff to develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and confirmed they were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. People with protected characteristics felt well supported. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and were supported to develop their careers. Managers worked with the staff, listened to them and were receptive to new ideas and innovation.
People's experience of this service
We met with all 6 people who lived at 23 Cecil Road on 2 occasions and spoke with people’s relatives and advocates to obtain their feedback on the care provided. People's experiences of the service were positive with many relatives commenting how people always seemed comfortable with the staff and how they were kept up to date with any changes. All relatives confirmed they were happy with the care and support their loved ones received.
People told us they felt safe at the service and relatives confirmed this. Staff were trained and assessed to be competent and confident to support people safely with one sharing, “Whenever an individual has specific care or medical requirements, management ensures we receive specialised guidance and practical training before providing any care, which gives us complete confidence in our roles”. People were always supported by staff who knew them well and knew how best to support them. One family member shared, “It’s nice to see them doing so well and staff know exactly what [Name] wants, and how they want things to be done and they respect that”.
People and their relatives expressed complete confidence in the provider and told us they would certainly recommend it to others. One person told us, “They have a really good understanding of autism; it's very [Name] centric, it's brilliant! I would fight tooth and nail if there was ever a problem and they couldn't stay there”. Another said how they appreciated staff took a more supportive role rather than 'doing for', regarding simple chores.
People’s relatives commented how staff provided care of a very high standard. They consistently described feeling their relatives were safe, respected and valued, and several spoke with warmth about the trusting relationships they had built with staff. People and relatives told us staff had the skills needed to understand and meet their needs in relation to giving advice, offering emotional support and providing practical assistance where required. When needing to raise any concerns or complaints, they told us these had been taken seriously and responded to in good time which demonstrated an open and transparent approach.
People told us they were happy at the service and had the support they needed from staff. We saw people responded positively when staff engaged with them. People told us they had fun and spent time doing things they enjoyed. All relatives felt their loved ones were well supported at the service. One relative shared, “[Name] considers this their home. When they come for a visit to the family home, they never want to stay here, they want to go back”.
We saw how people were comfortable and relaxed in the presence of staff, and our observations confirmed staff treated people with kindness, compassion, patience and respect. Relatives felt involved and informed about peoples care and support.
Feedback from professionals highlighted that “Staff were consistently welcoming, professional, and respectful”, demonstrating the service’s clear commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care. Additionally, stakeholders noted that risk assessments were thoroughly completed and regularly reviewed, effectively balancing people’s safety with the promotion of choice, independence, and autonomy. They told us, “Care records were up to date and accurately reflected the patient's current needs and presentation”. This confirmed that high standards were embedded at the service.