- Homecare service
Avalon Northallerton Services
Assessment report published 3 October 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 26 June to 8 August 2025.
Avalon Northallerton Services is a domiciliary care agency and a supported living service providing personal care to people in their own homes. This report is in respect of the domiciliary care agency.
This is a specialist service registered to support autistic people or people with a learning disability. 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.
The provider supported people to transition to different services which supported greater independence. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding and knew how to recognise any concerns and respond to these appropriately. Risks to people were appropriately assessed and support plans implemented. Staff were recruited safely and received appropriate training.
Support plans were kept up to date. Staff remained up to date with best practice guidance and provided support accordingly. People were supported to access other services such as day care services and employment. Staff sought consent appropriately.
Staff were kind and respectful. Staff knew people well and encouraged people to be as independent as possible. Staff wellbeing was a priority for the provider. The provider and the management team ensured staff felt valued and involved. The provider was committed to the development of staff.
Information was provided in a variety of ways and the provider considered assistive technology. Staff were given clear guidance as to how to effectively communicate with individuals they supported. The provider went above and beyond to support people to share feedback about their experiences with autism. The provider considered relevant legal requirements and people’s human rights. These topics, along with equality, diversity and inclusion, were discussed at board and senior level, and relayed to staff throughout the organisation.
The provider had a clear shared vision, strategy and culture. Staff and leaders actively monitored and anticipated current and future risks to delivering the strategy. The staff team was happy and expressed pride about working for the provider. There was an excellent culture amongst staff, with staff consistently referring to the importance of person-centred care. The management team was competent and passionate. The provider had strong governance systems and processes in place. The provider was continuously seeking to improve the service and ensure future sustainability.
People's experience of this service
People were supported to be safe at all times. One relative told us, “Staff really look after [person] well. I have no complaints at all.” People were well supported to access other services including healthcare organisations. People were supported by a staff team who knew people’s needs well and were competent in their roles. Where appropriate, people were supported to safely self-administer and manage their own medicines. People’s communication needs were met, and people were involved in reviewing their own support plans. People were supported to be as independent as possible in understanding and managing their own health needs. People’s consent was sought before any support was provided. Staff were kind and caring, and treated people with dignity and respect. People were supported to celebrate important events in their lives and take part in activities they enjoyed. People were able to contact the service in a number of ways and this contact information was readily available. People’s views were also sought through annual surveys and regular care reviews. People were supported by a well-led service. People were involved in developing the culture and future strategies of the service. People were able to speak with management whenever needed.