- Care home
Strafford House
Assessment report published 5 November 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
We visited the service on the 9 October and 14 October 2025.
Strafford House is a residential care home that supports younger adults, people with physical disabilities or sensory impairments, and individuals with a learning disability or autistic people. At the time of our assessment 6 people were using the service. Our assessment was prompted due to the age of rating.
We have 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 had met these all expectations and always provided support following these guidelines.
People were safe and involved in assessment of their needs. Staff knew people exceptionally well and care plans and were detailed, taking account people’s needs. People received their medicines as prescribed by trained and competency assessed staff. We identified minor medicines shortfalls which were immediately addressed and had no impact on people receiving their medicines.
Staff felt supported to give feedback about how to drive improvements and felt action would be taken following it. The service was clean and homely. People were supported by staff who had received sufficient training, and they were knowledgeable about their needs. People told us they were engaged in meaningful activities, and their goals and aspirations were recorded and monitored to ensure they were experiencing a good quality of life.
People’s health needs were met, and appropriate professionals were involved when required. Mental capacity was considered, and individuals were supported to make their own choices wherever possible. Families were involved in people’s care, and individuals were encouraged and supported to maintain meaningful relationships.
The service was well managed by an established and knowledgeable registered manager who had a clear understanding of the service and people’s unique needs. They were open, responsive, and demonstrated a commitment to continually improving the quality of the service. Leaders had a shared vision and were visible and staff told us the team worked harmoniously to support people the best they could.
People's experience of this service
People had a positive experience of living at the service. We spoke with people and their relatives to gather their views. Some people had limited verbal communication and were not always able to express themselves fully using words, but weobservedwarm and supportive interactions between staff and people. People appeared relaxed, comfortable, and confident around staff.
People were supported to make their own choices and take part in activities both within the home and in the community. One person said, “I clean my room on my own, cook cakes and make non-alcoholic cocktails, and staff are always there for me.” Another told us, “I enjoy the activities. I go to the disco on a Thursday evening andI’mout for three afternoons a week.”
Relatives said people were safe, well cared for, and happy. They described good relationships with staff and a homely, well-maintained environment. One relative commented, “The house feels like home. Staff make it feel welcoming and homely for friends and family. Things have changed this year for the better and I would like it to stay like that.”
People and relatives spoke positively about staff, describing them as kind, compassionate, and caring. One person said, “There’salways somewhere I can go to be quiet, the lounge or the garden. I love my bedroomthat’sbeen decorated, and I can be quiet there.” A relative added, “Yes, very kind.”
Families told us people’s privacy and dignity were respected, and they were encouraged to be as independent as possible. One relative said, “My relative has been encouraged to make a hot drink and does this at home now, so they were better than me for that.”
Relatives also said people’s health needs were met and that professionals were involved when needed. They described the registered manager as approachable and supportive, with one commenting, “I have spoken to the [registered manager] over the years, and they run a very good service.”
Overall, people and their families spoke highly of the service, describing a caring environment where people were listened to, supported to be independent, and able to enjoya good qualityof life.