- Care home
Oak Field
Assessment report published 14 October 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 4 September 2025 to 11 September 2025
Oak field is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for adults with learning disabilities, autistic people, and mental health support needs. At the time of our inspection, 7 people were living at the service. Each person had their own en-suite bedroom, and there was communal living areas designed to promote independence, choice, and social interaction.
We carried out a comprehensive inspection of the service under the single assessment framework (SAF). We inspected this service because it had an aged rating. The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector. At this inspection, we reviewed all 33 quality statements across the 5 key questions: Is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led? The provider’s previous rating was Good.
We assessed the service against the ‘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.
Staffing levels were arranged to ensure safe and effective support. During the day, there were 5 staff on shift, and at night, one waking night staff member and one sleep-in staff member. This staffing structure ensured the service could respond promptly to people’s needs, provide one-to-one support when required, and always maintain safe care practices.
The model of care and setting maximised people’s choice, control, and independence. The home was small-scale and homely, in line with best practice guidance for learning disability services. Staff supported people to access community-based activities, attend religious services, and maintain contact with loved ones. Where appropriate, people were also supported by advocates to help them express their wishes and make informed choices about their care.
The service supported people with complex needs and promoted personalised care through detailed assessments and collaborative working with professionals. Leaders maintained a structured governance framework, overseeing audits, quality monitoring, and incident analysis to ensure standards were met and continuously improved. Policies and training requirements were regularly reviewed to maintain regulatory compliance and promote good outcomes for people.
People's experience of this service
People told us they felt safe, respected, and well supported at Oak Field. They described the home as “comfortable” and “friendly” and we observed positive and meaningful interactions between staff and the people they supported. Staff were patient, respectful, and attentive, adapting their approach to meet individual communication needs.Where people were unable to communicate verbally, staff used personalised communication tools, including visual prompts, social stories, gestures, and familiar objects, to understand people’s wishes and preferences. These approaches helped ensure people were included in decisions about their care in ways that were meaningful to them.
Relatives consistently spoke positively about the service and the staff team. One relative told us, “I know my family member is safe here. The staff really care about them and understand what matters most.” Another described the team as “supportive, patient, and always willing to listen.” Relatives reported they were regularly consulted about changes to care plans, incidents, and health updates and felt fully involved in decision-making.
People were supported to choose their daily routines, meals, and preferred activities. We saw examples where staff encouraged people to develop practical skills, such as preparing snacks, managing laundry, and engaging in leisure activities, helping them to maintain confidence and autonomy.
People also had access to a wide range of meaningful activities tailored to their interests, including community outings, arts and crafts, baking, and supported visits with friends and family. These opportunities enhanced people’s quality of life and sense of inclusion.