- Homecare service
HD2-1
Assessment report published 26 August 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
HD2-1 is registered to provide personal care to people in the community and in supported living settings so that they can live as independently as possible.
At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 8 people across 5 supported living accommodations.
The service supported autistic people and people with a learning disability in a supported living setting.
We carried out this assessment on 6 August 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.
People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice, control and freedom over their lives. If someone lacks the mental capacity to consent and requires continuous supervision or restricted freedom to stay safe, this must be legally authorised by the Court of Protection. The provider evidenced that community DoLS applications had been applied for when required by service.
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’s needs were assessed before they moved into the service and used to develop personalised care and support plans. People and those important to them were involved in decisions about their care, and the provider undertook assessments to ensure they could meet people's needs safely and effectively before placements were accepted.
Care plans provided detailed information about people’s communication needs, health conditions, preferences, risks and support requirements. People were supported to access healthcare services and routine appointments, and care plans, risk assessments and support arrangements were reviewed regularly. Medicines were managed safely, and the care environment was safe.
People received care and support from staff who knew them well and understood their individual needs, routines and preferences.
Our observations supported this feedback. We observed warm, caring and respectful interactions between staff and people. Staff communicated using approaches tailored to individual needs, including gestures, visual prompts and clear verbal communication. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people’s communication styles and responded appropriately to both verbal and non-verbal cues. One person expressed excitement through sounds and gestures and offered a handshake. Staff responded warmly and positively. People were relaxed and comfortable around staff. They were confident in seeking support and reassurance. We observed staff promote people’s equality, diversity, independence and human rights. They encouraged choice, participation and involvement in daily life.
Risk management systems supported people to remain safe while maintaining choice and independence. Care plans included detailed risk assessments covering areas such as epilepsy, medication administration, behaviour, finances, personal care and accessing the community. Staff monitored people’s wellbeing and progress, shared important information during handovers and worked with health and social care professionals when concerns were identified. Handover records showed staff routinely discussed health matters, medication, environmental issues and any changes in people’s needs.
The provider had systems in place to record, review and learn from incidents, accidents and complaints. We reviewed records relating to a complaint about aspects of personal care and support. The registered manager investigated the concerns, discussed them with staff and implemented actions to improve practice. The provider actively sought feedback from people, relatives and staff and used this information to drive improvements.
Professionals also provided positive feedback. A local authority quality assurance representative told us the provider was “proactive during visits, sharing good practice, answering questions and providing evidence to validate our audits.” They reported the service responded promptly to feedback, implemented actions in a timely way and actively participated in local provider forums. Information shared by the local authority identified positive outcomes in areas including staffing arrangements, incident management and quality monitoring systems.
Staff spoke positively about working at the service and told us they felt supported by the management team. They described receiving regular supervision, training and opportunities to reflect on incidents and learning. Staff consistently told us there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs safely and effectively. This was reflected in staffing records, which showed staff had regular time off, access to annual leave and staffing levels were maintained. Staff said management were approachable, responsive and supportive.
The provider promoted positive working relationships with families and other partners to meet people’s needs. They maintained oversight and regularly assessed the quality of the service.
People's experience of this service
People spoke positively about living at the service and told us they felt safe, supported and able to make choices about their lives. During our visit, people were relaxed and comfortable in their home environment. We observed positive interactions between staff and people during their main meal. People were proud of their rooms and were keen to show us around their personal spaces. They told us they liked living at the service and valued having their own space and privacy.
People described positive relationships with staff and said staff were available when needed. One person told us, "If I need help the staff are here day and night." Another said, "I feel safe," and explained they were able to lock their bedroom when going out if they wished. People told us staff were kind and supportive. One person said, "They are nice. If I need help the staff are here day and night."
People told us staff understood their individual needs and supported them in ways that worked for them. One person said, "Staff chat with me. They know when I'm not feeling well and they ask me if I want to talk about it. That really helps me because I can be depressed." Another person explained how staff encouraged and motivated them to achieve their goals while respecting their preferences, saying, "The staff here know how to get me to do things. They know I need a bit of pushing and they do it about right. I won't and I don't like to be nagged so they use gentle persuasion." They added, "They are helping me with finding a job."
People were supported to maintain their independence and continue with activities they enjoyed. One person told us, "I can cook my meals but sometimes I let the staff cook for me. I do my shopping." Care records also reflected people being supported to develop daily living skills, access education, maintain family relationships and participate in activities of their choosing.
Relatives consistently spoke highly of the care and support provided. One relative told us, "My relative receives safe care at HD2. They have complex medical and mental health needs and is fully supported at all times." They described staff as experienced and competent in supporting their family member's epilepsy, autism and learning disability and told us they had been involved in developing and reviewing care plans and risk management arrangements.
Another relative spoke positively about staff knowledge and continuity of care. They told us, "The staff understand their personality, routines, preferences and the things that are important to them." They explained that staff recognised their family member as an individual and not simply a person with care needs. They said, "[Relative] is not simply a service user with a set of care needs; They are seen as a person with their own personality, preferences, relationships and expectations for their life."
Relatives described the service as caring, responsive and inclusive. One relative told us, "[Relative] is always treated very kindly and with respect." They also praised staff for supporting people compassionately when they became distressed, saying staff were "always very patient and professional in meeting their needs."
People's families felt involved in decisions about care and support and valued the communication they received from the registered manager and staff team. One relative described the support they received during a particularly difficult period and said, "The registered manager and the team are extremely patient, kind and understanding with us, reassuring us all." Another relative praised the service's advocacy, explaining that staff had gone above and beyond to ensure their family member could access activities, maintain family relationships and have sufficient funds for personal items and holidays.
A number of relatives highlighted the positive impact the service had on people's wellbeing and quality of life. One relative told us, "The registered manager and her team provide outstanding care and support," while another said, "I am grateful for the care, continuity and advocacy that the registered manager and the HD2 team provide."
People told us they felt safe, respected and listened to, and we observed positive, caring interactions which reflected the values described by people and their families.