- Care home
Longlast
Assessment report published 6 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 5 to 25 August 2026. Longlast is a residential care home supporting adults with a learning disability and autistic people, including people with dementia. This assessment was planned due to the length of time since we last inspected. The home was fully occupied, with 11 people living there. We assessed the service against the principles of CQC’s Right support, right care, right culture regulatory guidance which ensures people with a learning disability and autistic people are supported to have choice, control, independence and inclusion in their lives. Although this was a slightly larger care home for people with a learning disability and autistic people, the provider clearly demonstrated it delivered high-quality, person-centred care that met the needs of all the people in the home.
The service provided exceptionally person-centred care and support that consistently achieved positive outcomes for people. People told us they were happy, felt safe and were supported to live fulfilling lives. A person said, “I'm very happy here.” Staff developed meaningful and trusting relationships with people and had a detailed understanding of their individual needs, preferences and aspirations. People received exceptionally personalised support that enabled them to have maximum choice, independence and control over their lives. Staff consistently went above and beyond to help people achieve their goals, take part in meaningful activities, contribute to their home, enjoy holidays and access community opportunities that reflected their individual interests and aspirations. Innovative and creative approaches to communication ensured people could express their wishes, be fully involved in decisions and influence the support they received. The service had a significant and lasting impact on people's wellbeing, confidence and independence, with people, relatives and professionals consistently describing highly positive outcomes and an enhanced quality of life.
Leaders had created a strong culture of continuous improvement, openness and learning. Staff spoke exceptionally positively about the leadership team and described a culture where they felt valued, listened to and empowered. The service demonstrated an exceptional commitment to promoting people's rights, independence and wellbeing, resulting in consistently outstanding outcomes and experiences for people.
The home was clean, comfortable and well maintained. Risks were managed in a way that promoted people's freedom and independence, and there were enough skilled and compassionate staff to meet people's needs safely and effectively. Staff worked proactively with health and social care professionals to support people's health and wellbeing.
The service was previously rated Outstanding overall and has been rated Outstanding again due to continuous high standards of compassion and care, and a focus on increasing people’s quality of life. External audits mirrored our findings of continued excellence and improvement since the last inspection.
People's experience of this service
People experienced exceptionally caring and personalised support from staff who knew them well and understood their individual needs. People told us they were happy living at the home, felt safe and valued, and enjoyed positive relationships with staff and the people they lived with. One person said, “Yes, I'm happy here” and “I've got all my friends here.” Another person told us, “I like all the staff.”Relatives consistently described the service as “excellent” and told us staff went above and beyond to support people to live independent and fulfilling lives. One relative said, “She calls Longlast home which speaks volumes.” Another told us, “I couldn't wish for a better place. There is not one member of staff who isn't kind and helpful.”
There was a warm, inclusive and joyful atmosphere throughout the home. People were relaxed and confident, regularly approaching staff for support, reassurance and conversation. Staff used a range of communication methods, including Makaton and easy-read information, to ensure people could express their views, make choices and take an active role in decisions about their lives.
People were supported to live full, meaningful and aspirational lives shaped entirely around their individual interests, preferences and goals. Staff demonstrated an exceptional commitment to ensuring people experienced opportunities that were personally significant to them, both within their home and in the wider community. People enjoyed a wide range of activities, including horse riding, drama groups, swimming, discos, holidays, shopping trips and meals out, while also maintaining important relationships with family and friends.
Support was highly individualised and people were enabled to pursue experiences that reflected what mattered most to them. For example, bespoke birthday celebrations and trips were carefully planned around people's unique interests and choices, creating memorable experiences and meaningful outcomes. This included personalised outings, special events and holidays designed specifically around what each person wanted to do. As a result, people were actively engaged in their communities, developed confidence and independence, and enjoyed enriched lives with opportunities that exceeded what would ordinarily be expected.
People were encouraged to make everyday choices and develop their independence. We observed people preparing food, helping with household tasks and taking on meaningful responsibilities within the home. We observed care using a Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). People were fully engaged with staff and one another, with frequent laughter, positive interactions and genuine warmth. Staff anticipated people's needs and delivered support with kindness, dignity and respect, helping people feel valued, included and truly at home. These experiences demonstrated an outstandingly caring culture where people thrived and enjoyed a strong sense of belonging.