- Care home
Askham Court
Assessment report published 6 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Askham Court is a specialist care setting with nursing for adults with complex care and/or rehabilitation needs. There were 28 people using the service at the time of the inspection.Support was delivered within a ground floor building with gardens which were accessible for people.
People who live at Askham Court receive rehabilitation for a range of physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries and complex care needs.There was a team of rehabilitation staff on site as well as a gym and pool that people can use as part of an individual rehabilitation programme.
We carried out this inspection on 21 July 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.
We found the environment to be calm, well managed and clean. Discussions with management and evidence from audits highlighted that the equipment and building was well maintained, safety checks were completed and staff knew how to report issues. Staffing levels were stable, with no recent agency use. Staff reported they felt well supported by management and they felt confident to raise concerns if needed.
Care Plans were in place for people at Askham Court and covered key areas of need and risk. Care and support needs, including identified risks, had been assessed with the involvement of people and, where appropriate, their relatives. However, 1 person's care plan lacked sufficient detail regarding their life history, interests, and cultural needs. We discussed this with the provider during the inspection, and the information was updated on the same day. The provider told us they would take steps to support staff to better recognise and understand cultural differences and to ensure these are appropriately reflected in people's care and support plans.
Staff supported people safely with mobility and equipment, explaining what they were doing clearly and providing reassurance. Call bells were responded to promptly and audits also reflected this. Staff knew people well and had the skills and knowledge to support people safely. Care was generally person centred with a good sense of people’s history and preferences. One relative reported that "The staff know them inside and out.” Our observations supported this feedback.
Medicines were managed safely across the service, with good systems in place with strong clinical oversight and effective involvement from GP’s and other health professionals. One minor issue around medication returns was rectified by the provider on the day of inspection. Feedback from health professionals showed positive regard for staff communication with them and commented how “responsive and caring” they were. Staff felt well supported by visible and approachable leaders.
People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA and had received the appropriate training. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice, control and freedom over their lives.
People's experience of this service
People told us they had a positive experience of living at Askham Court and felt comfortable and well cared for. The environment was calm, welcoming and relaxed. People and their relatives appeared settled and at ease in the communal areas but were also well supported if they chose to remain in their rooms.
People consistently described staff in a positive way. “Staff are excellent and look after you well”. There was good evidence that relatives also felt positively about the care people received at Askham Court. A relative told us “Staff always welcome me with a smile, and they ask how you are. It's lovely and they understand my relative’s needs.” One relative described how they thought their relative felt “safe and happy” at Askham Court and management were “always helpful” if they had concerns to raise.
Staff worked with people on their rehabilitation needs in a person-centred way to encourage them to meet set goals and support with recovery. Relatives were also included if appropriate, and 1 relative advised us “The staff are so caring and thanks to them they are improving every week”. It was also reported that people are fully involved in any care and support reviews that take place.
Observations throughout the day highlighted that staff interacted with people in a respectful way giving them time to express their wishes and needs. We observed staff explaining what support they were carrying out, offering reassurance and compassion when needed. Instructions were clear and verbal prompts were used effectively.
Mealtimes were well organised and responsive to people’s choices and preferences. There were some mixed views during the day about the food at Askham Court, but people were generally positive and were observed to be enjoying their meals. One person told us the “food was nice and there is choice”. Drinks were offered throughout the meal and during the day, and people were assisted efficiently and in a dignified manner when required.
People were supported and encouraged to take part in a variety of group and individual activities. People were seen enjoying the outside space and engaging in gardening activities. People were involved in the growing of fruit and vegetables and the feedback at the end of the session was positive. There was a café on site which people could access with family and friends. This provided a sociable space for people to enjoy a change of environment.
Throughout the day we observed people being supported in a way that respected their dignity, privacy and independence. Requests for support were answered in a timely manner, and staff were attentive and responsive. People had a positive experience of care which was also echoed by visitors to the service. Observations and feedback reflected that people felt supported by kind and caring staff who knew them well and responded in a compassionate and person-centred way.