- Homecare service
North Supported Living Service
Report from 15 July 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 5 and 6 August 2025.
North Supported Living Service provides care and support to people living in 'supported living' settings, so they can live as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with the regulated activity 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also take into account any wider social care provided.
The service applied the principles and values of Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. We inspected this service due to the length of time since our last inspection.
People's support was person-centred and focussed on helping them live their lives as they wanted. People’s independence and right to choose was always respected.
There were a range of positive outcomes for people in terms of increased independence and improved quality of life. People’s rights were respected and upheld. They received care and support from staff they could rely on to keep them safe, and to work with them to achieve their aims.
Leaders and staff worked well together, and with external partners, to find the best solutions when people’s care needs changed. Staff were flexible and supportive to help people plan and meet their goals.
The provider engaged well with local partners and community groups, building positive links. This enhanced people’s ability to access to the community and services they wanted to use.
Senior leaders were open to change and responsive to feedback. Staff had supported each other well. They understood how their roles contributed to the smooth running of the service, and people’s outcomes within a health and social care system. The culture was open, inclusive and supportive. Staff morale was high, as was retention.
Staff were confident and well supported through training and supervision. Staffing levels were safe. There were clear on call arrangements. Staff worked well with other health and social care professionals to help reduce the risks people faced, give them more choices and improve their quality of life.
People's experience of this service
People and relatives we spoke with felt safe, well supported, respected and included in how the service supported them. People had no concerns regarding staffing or safety. A person said, “The staff look after me well, they make sure I’m okay.”
People were comfortable with their own levels of independence, knowing they had the support of staff. They took pride in their homes and the lives they were living.
A person reflected on how content they were looking after their own garden and kept it to a high standard. Another person relished arts and crafts and shared their achievements with us. One person excitedly showed us how pleased they were with how they had recently helped choose colours for redecorating their home. Another person said, “They (staff) are all very nice to us. We get on well in our little home.”
A relative said, “The support is there 24/7 and they see staff as friends I think. They are very reliable and have helped [person] really come on in terms of trying things.” Another said, “They’re out and about all over the place! The staff have helped build this up over time in fairness, and we’ve always felt it was done safely.”
People’s interactions with staff demonstrated mutual warmth, respect and humour.
People were included in all decisions about their care and support. Their needs were regularly reviewed by staff who understood them well; their goals and aspirations were listened to and supported.