The Old Red Lion

Updated 20 January 2026

Date of Assessment: 1 March to 17 March 2026. We undertook multiple sites visits to assess this service including a visit out of hours. The Old Red Lion is a residential care home providing support to younger adults who were autistic and/or had a learning disability. At the time of the assessment there were 7 people living at the home. The Old Red Lion was last rated good (published 22 June 2018). This assessment was prompted by the age of the services previous rating.

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.

The provider went above and beyond in adapting the environment to meet people’s individual sensory needs and known triggers. For example, structural changes were made to bedrooms to prevent distress caused by items on the walls, while still allowing essential fixtures to be safely included. In other cases, discreet, embedded air‑conditioning units were installed to support people who struggled with regulating temperature. These personalised adjustments not only reduced stress but promoted comfort, stability and emotional wellbeing.

We observed warm, patient and attuned interactions throughout the home. Staff consistently used kind, reassuring approaches and demonstrated a genuine understanding of each person’s preferences, histories and emotional states. People were supported to participate in meaningful activities every day, and their visible enjoyment showed the depth of trust they had in the staff supporting them.

The provider also prioritised education, personal development and upskilling, ensuring people were supported to learn both practical and life skills. This included helping people develop independence, communication, personal organisation and confidence in new environments. People benefitted from carefully designed support that broke learning into achievable steps, enabling them to succeed at their own pace.

Emotional wellbeing was a clear priority. Staff provided thoughtful, compassionate support during periods of anxiety, stress or fear. They used personalised calming strategies, predictable routines, sensory tools and safe spaces to help people understand and cope with overwhelming feelings. This approach helped people feel more in control and reduced anxiety‑related behaviours.

The provider also demonstrated a strong commitment to reducing restrictive practices. Staff reflected on learning from previous incidents and used these lessons to introduce positive, enabling approaches that supported choice, independence and autonomy. These changes were applied consistently across the home so that everyone benefitted from the same high‑quality, respectful support, resulting in reduced distress, increased trust, and more positive experiences for people.

Feedback from keyworker meetings showed that people felt safe, happy and secure. Records demonstrated that people were enabled to express preferences and indicate concerns in ways meaningful to them, and staff reliably understood and responded to these communications.

All relatives we spoke with said they were extremely happy with the provider. They described notable positive changes in their loved ones since living at the home including improvements in confidence, emotional stability, independence, engagement and quality of life. Families valued the open communication, the inclusive approach, and the evident dedication staff showed to ensuring their relatives thrived. People experienced exceptional emotional security, personal growth and wellbeing, supported by a provider that consistently went beyond expectations to ensure the environment, staffing approach and culture genuinely enhanced people’s lives.

Updated 20 January 2026

People living at The Old Red Lion, many of whom were nonverbal, consistently demonstrated their happiness, comfort and sense of safety through their behaviour and interactions. Staff understood each person’s unique communication style and used this knowledge to interpret gestures, expressions and body language accurately. People were relaxed in staff presence, sought staff out for reassurance, and showed clear signs of enjoyment during daily activities.

We observed kind, caring and attuned interactions between staff and people throughout the home. Staff were patient, warm and attentive, and people responded with smiles, laughter, and positive engagement. People were supported to participate in activities they enjoyed, and the atmosphere was energetic, purposeful and uplifting. Their body language, engagement and enthusiasm reflected that they felt safe, valued and understood.

Feedback documented in keyworker meetings consistently showed that people felt secure, happy and confident that staff understood their preferred ways of communicating. Records demonstrated that people were supported to express choices and preferences, and, where relevant, staff helped people to raise concerns or indicate discomfort using communication methods that made sense to them. Staff knew people exceptionally well and could identify even subtle signs of worry or uncertainty, ensuring concerns were addressed early and sensitively.

All relatives we spoke with told us they were very happy with the provider and described the home as a place where their loved ones had thrived. Families spoke positively about the progress, stability, emotional wellbeing and confidence their relatives had gained since living at the home. They expressed trust in the staff team and appreciation for the consistent communication and involvement offered to them.

People experienced genuine emotional security, meaningful connection and improved quality of life, supported by staff who understood them deeply and upheld their individuality every day.