- Care home
Richford Gate
Assessment report published 7 March 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 19 and 23 January 2026.
Richford Gate is a care home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 8 autistic people and people with a learning disability.
There were 6 people using the service when we carried out the assessment, all of which were receiving personal care.
During the assessment we contacted people or their relatives, care staff and healthcare professionals to gather their feedback regarding how people’s personal care needs were being met.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
The provider was able to demonstrate they were meeting the principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
We looked at quality statements and found that the people received safe care and support that was delivered by well-trained, competent, and professional staff. There had been difficulties experienced in the smooth management of Richmond Gate due to the long term sickness of the registered manager and subsequent management cover that was acknowledged by the management team who told us this will be addressed. The provider recruited staff appropriately, people were assessed before receiving a service, and supported to take acceptable risks in a proactive, encouraging way that enhanced their quality of life. This meant risk to people of social isolation was reduced. Staff worked together as a team, and provided joined up, integrated care when supporting people. This included involving external healthcare professionals. The provider adopted a comprehensive approach to care that enhanced people’s independence and gave them more choice regarding how it was delivered. This included the service they received, and control over when they received it. The provider recorded people’s consent to care, and treatment in the care plans we sampled, and people were encouraged, and supported to maintain healthy diets. The provider monitored the support provided to enhance and drive improved experiences, and outcomes for people. The service was well led, had good governance, and effective monitoring systems.
People's experience of this service
Most people, and their relatives told us the provider managed the service reasonably well under the circumstances. The difficulties were acknowledged by the management team during our visit. People and their relatives said staff treated people with dignity, kindness, and compassion. Staff recognised people as individuals and this enabled them to have equal access to services and experiences. Some relatives said the management approach was positive, they were contactable, responded to any concerns or queries, and acted upon them. Others felt the management could be more contactable and some of this was due to sickness. Staff were friendly, respectful, and provided good care and support. They provided a safe service due to their training and individual skills, which enabled people to experience positive outcomes. The provider and staff provided support in a way that meant people lived safely, and were protected from the risk of abuse and harm. The staff team responded well to people’s changing needs, concerns, and provided them and their relatives with support to understand safeguarding. People or their relatives knew how to raise concerns if they felt unsafe or unhappy with the support received. People and their relatives said staff gave support in a responsive, prompt, and appropriate way. They all said staff worked well together as a team. People were able to have choice and control over the way staff provided care, support and when. People were encouraged and supported by staff to do as much as they could for themselves to maintain and improve their independence. Staff also supported people to maintain social, and family contacts, and pursue interests, and hobbies to reduce social isolation wherever possible. One person told us, “This is an enjoyable place to live.”