- 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 supported living service.
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.
Staff supported people safely and ensured people’s homes were safe and clean. 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. Food preparation and fluid records were not always fully detailed. This was resolved following our feedback. Staff were recruited safely and received appropriate training.
Support plans were 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 were vigilant around people’s health needs and any small changes in people’s presentation. Records around people’s goals and aims were not always comprehensive. The provider had identified this documentation required review. Documentation was not robust or reviewed regularly around one potentially restrictive practice. The provider reviewed this immediately following our feedback.
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. 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 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 the provision 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 told us they felt safe, and their needs were met. One person told us, “I feel safe and staff treat me well.” 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. People’s medicines were stored securely, and people were supported to take their medicines as prescribed.
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 and given choice and control over their lives. People were supported to live as healthy a life as possible. People were well supported through both physical and mental health challenges.
Staff were kind and caring, and treated people with dignity and respect. People were comfortable and settled in the company of staff. People were supported to celebrate important events in their lives and partake 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.