- Care home
Dickley Court
Assessment report published 7 April 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 16 December 2025 to 09 January 2026. We completed this assessment to follow up on concerns received about the service and because of the age of the rating of the service. We carried out a comprehensive assessment. The service provides care and support to people living in 'supported living' settings within their local communities, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. In supported living, people’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. At the time of this assessment there were 36 people receiving support with ‘personal care’: help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Not everyone using the service receives the regulated activity of personal care. Where they do, we also take into account any wider social care provided. We did not review people’s care and support who did not receive personal care.
Dickley Court is also a residential care home providing accommodation for persons who require personal care. We have written a separate report about the residential care home (short breaks) service.
An assessment has been undertaken of a service that is used by autistic people or people with a learning disability but is not registered as a specialist service. 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.
We identified breaches of regulations relating to risk management, medicines management, infection control, person centred care and good governance. Medicines had not always been managed safely. Risk assessments did not always give staff information about how to work with people safely. Some supported living houses had a strong odour in communal areas, staff had reported this and maintenance issues to the provider, these were not always addressed in a timely manner. Care plans were not always detailed in relation to people’s care and support needs. People’s care plans did not include goals and aspirations for people. The provider’s audit systems had not always detected issues identified in the assessment. Staff told us they received mandatory training and support to enable them to care for people safely. Staff told us that they would benefit from further training to aid better communication with people who used Makaton sign language. Before people accessed the service their needs were assessed. We observed there was enough staff on shift to support people. Staffing was adjusted to each person’s assessed needs. Staff worked with health professionals to ensure people got the care and support they needed. The provider had systems and processes in place to promote and support staff wellbeing. Not all staff were aware of these, the provider planned to promote this further in 2026.
We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People were protected from poor care and abuse. The provider had policies in place and staff had been trained. Safeguarding concerns were reported to the appropriate authorities and the manager worked with the local safeguarding teams to ensure any issues were fully investigated.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff supported people to take part in activities of their choice. People were supported to pursue interests to keep them active and stimulated.
People's experience of this service
We observed staff interactions with people and observed care and support in communal areas. We observed kind and caring interactions between staff and people. Staff treated people with kindness and knew people well. Staff spent time with people encouraging them to participate in activities, daily tasks in their homes and to develop and maintain important relationships. People utilised their local communities. People told us they were safe, happy and made choices about their lives. People said, “I feel safe here”, “I am happy. I chose my room colour” and “I make my choices, I chose my own meals, and what I want to wear.” Relatives told us the service met their loved ones needs and they would recommend the service. Comments included, “They couldn’t do anymore for him. I would recommend it definitely”; “He’s very happy there”; “We are very happy she loves it there; she has been there 10 years. They look out for her all the time, she’s safe, they are like a second family to her and us”; “I would recommend Symbol for their assisted living. They are on the ball” and “I would recommend it.”