During an assessment under our new approach
Date of assessment: 6 May to 8 May 2026. Abelands supports autistic people, people with learning disabilities and people with complex needs. At the time of the assessment, they were supporting 9 people. The reason for the inspection was the length of time since the last inspection.
An assessment has been undertaken of a specialist service that is used by 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 model of care and setting maximises people’s choice, control and independence.
Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights.
The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.
People received exceptionally compassionate and person-centred support from staff who knew them extremely well and consistently treated them with dignity, respect and empathy. Comments we received from relatives and professionals were overwhelmingly positive about the high-quality support provided and the subsequent reduction in people’s agitation.
The home had a calm but busy atmosphere, with people leaving for scheduled planned activities throughout the day. Staff had excellent rapport with people, and conversations were friendly and fun. The registered manager ensured staff continually improved their understanding of people to maintain good support. Documentation was detailed and person centred. People were safe at the home, while living in the least restrictive way possible.
The home environment was clean and designed to minimise risks to people, with simple furniture and protected glass and stairwells. People had personalised rooms, where they could decide on decoration, wall colour and flooring such as rugs.
People at Abelands had complex needs and needed 1:1 care. Some people needed more support when out of the home. Staff managed this with dignity for people, including the use of cards to give to the public in the event a person became distressed while out. People were safe, staff understood the need to report any concerns to senior staff or relevant authorities. People did not always understand risk, so staff collaborated with family and relevant professionals to make best interest decisions for people and reduce risk.
The senior team supported staff with training, and regular supervisions and appraisals.
The staff told us how people were at the centre of all decisions and support at the home. This had a profound effect on the way people were able to interact. Families told us how their relatives were now able to take part in activities they could not have done before; including visiting the community, going to major sporting events and local dances and restaurants. The registered manager advocated for people to be included in everything that neurotypical people would expect from life, such as attending college. Where this was not possible, the staff ensured people had alternatives they enjoyed.