- Care home
Clervaux Trust
Assessment report published 4 September 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 8 June to 30 July 2026
Clervaux Trust is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to autistic people and people with a learning disability. The reason for this assessment was the length of time since the last assessment.
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. We found the provider was meeting the principles of ‘Right support, right care, right culture.’ People were supported to express their views in various ways, staff respected people’s choices and staff encouraged and supported people to lead as fulfilled a life as possible.
Systems and processes were in place to assess risks to people and ensure they were safeguarded from avoidable harm. Staff completed safeguarding training and knew how to raise concerns. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s individual needs and risks, and how to keep them safe. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs in a timely way. Staff were recruited safely. The environment was clean, welcoming and homely, with personalised bedrooms and well maintained communal spaces. Medicines were managed safely, although records regarding ‘when required’ medicines could be improved; action was being taken to address this.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Where people lacked capacity to make specific decisions mental capacity assessments were completed and decisions were made in people’s best interests. Relatives and/or health and social care professionals were involved in such decisions.
Staff supported people in a very compassionate and caring way. Staff knew people’s individual needs well and people were clearly comfortable with the staff who supported them. Staff understood people’s communication needs and communicated effectively with people. Staff supported people to take part in a range of activities to support their emotional, physical and social needs. Staff supported people to gain new skills and develop existing skills so they could achieve their goals. There was a culture of positive risk taking which enabled people to experience activities they might not have thought were possible, which had a hugely positive impact on people’s wellbeing and quality of life.
Care records were regularly reviewed to ensure they reflected people’s needs. The home worked closely with external healthcare professionals to support and maintain people’s health. Staff were well supported, had completed relevant training and enjoyed working at Clervaux Trust.
The service was well led and the management team led by example. Although a registered manager was not in post at the time of the assessment, one had been appointed and was due to start soon after we visited the service. We spoke with the newly appointed manager during this assessment. Governance arrangements were robust, with audits leading to clear and sustained improvements.
The provider had a very clear shared vision, strategy and culture which was based on the Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) method, which is a whole-system approach integrating practical skills, therapeutic social development, vocational learning, wellbeing, participation and meaning. Leaders had the skills, knowledge, experience and credibility to lead effectively. They did so with integrity, openness and honesty. The management team led the service excellently and ensured the service remained focused on high quality and effective care for people. The provider had clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability and good governance. They used these to manage and deliver good quality, sustainable care, treatment and support. The provider focused on continuous learning, innovation and improvement, whilst putting people who used the service at the very centre.
People's experience of this service
People and relatives told us they were very happy with the care and support people received and felt the service was safe. People experienced compassionate, personalised care delivered by staff who knew them very well.
One person said, "It's excellent here because of the support staff give me. They help me do the things I want to do and it feels good." A relative told us, “I think this home is outstanding because there are plenty of staff, my loved one is always considered and heard, they request our input, and various activities are available.”
People were supported by staff who were kind, compassionate and who showed a genuine interest in people’s lives. People engaged in meaningful exchanges with staff and lived in a welcoming and positive environment. People were comfortable with the staff who supported them. Staff encouraged people to retain and fully express their individuality and share their sense of humour with others. Staff supported people to research and consider any risks when they wanted to try something new or take positive risks.
Staff respected and celebrated people as individuals and focused on the things people could do. Staff supported people to celebrate their achievements. Staff supported people to regain and maintain their independence, make choices, and feel a sense of control over their lives. People were clearly comfortable when being supported by the staff team and there was a relaxed atmosphere in the service. Care plans were of an excellent standard and provided rich, detailed guidance that supported the high-quality care we observed.
People were supported to do the things that were important to them and to achieve their goals. People led meaningful and fulfilled lives.