- Care home
National Star College - Ullenwood
Assessment report published 23 September 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 6 July 2026 – 16 July 2026. National Star College, Ullenwood provides specialist residential care and support for young adults with complex health, physical and learning needs.
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.
People, relatives and staff consistently described the service as a safe and supportive place to live and learn. People told us they felt safe, knew who to speak to if they had concerns and were positive about the care and support they received. Relatives spoke highly of the support provided, describing staff as responsive, caring and committed to achieving good outcomes for people.
People received person-centred care from staff who knew them well and supported them to make choices, develop independence and plan for their futures. Communication needs were understood and supported through appropriate assistive technology and tailored approaches. People were involved in decisions about their care and education, and staff worked closely with families and multidisciplinary professionals to promote positive outcomes and smooth transitions. Staff training and healthcare support arrangements were well established, helping people to receive care safely and effectively.
Leaders promoted an open, inclusive and learning-focused culture. Staff were described as kind, respectful and approachable, and people felt able to raise concerns or provide feedback. Governance systems supported continuous improvement and leaders worked proactively with people, relatives and external partners.
The service demonstrated a strong commitment to person-centred care, safety and continuous improvement, with people supported to achieve positive experiences and outcomes.
People's experience of this service
People were overwhelmingly positive about their experiences and told us they felt safe, supported and able to live fulfilling lives. People consistently said staff knew them well, listened to them and helped them achieve their goals. One person told us, “I feel safe here”, while another described the service as “the best place I’ve ever been.”
People were involved in decisions about their lives and were supported to maintain their independence and make everyday choices. They told us staff listened carefully to what they had to say and took time to support them when needed.
Feedback from relatives was equally positive. One relative told us, “They are all kind and caring. They show genuine concern for [my relatives] welfare.”
People enjoyed a wide range of meaningful activities and opportunities that promoted confidence, inclusion and achievement. They spoke positively about holidays, sports, social events, employment opportunities and opportunities to maintain contact with family and friends. One person said, “It was my first time on holiday without my family,” while another told us, “I like it every single day here.”
During our observations, we saw warm, respectful and highly responsive interactions between staff and people. Staff communicated effectively using a variety of approaches, including personalised communication methods and assistive technology, ensuring people were listened to and understood. We observed a calm, friendly and inclusive atmosphere with many examples of laughter, encouragement and genuine connection between people and staff.