Updated 19 March 2026
Date of Inspection: 8 to 26 June 2026. Northumberland Supported Living Service provides care and support for people with a learning disability and autistic people living in a 'supported living' setting. At the time of this inspection 2 people were using the service. We completed this inspection as part of our routine programme.
We inspected 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 found they met this guidance. Northumberland Supported Living Service provides a highly personalised care service, which was designed to meet people’s needs in the least restrictive manner.
Feedback from people and relatives was overwhelmingly positive. Relatives consistently told us they felt confident in staff, described care as person‑centred and responsive, and felt people were supported by staff who knew them well and went the extra mile to meet their needs. People felt protected from abuse and avoidable harm, and risks were generally identified and managed well, with appropriate involvement of health and social care professionals when people’s needs changed.
During this inspection we found a deeply embedded culture of kindness, safety, professionalism and continuous improvement, which was consistently modelled by leaders, embraced by staff and experienced by people using the service. This was particularly evident in how people are supported to achieve meaningful outcomes and improve their quality of life. People enjoyed a rich programme of activities and were supported to maintain relationships, interests and community connections. Staff worked with people to develop creative and innovative approaches to meaningful activity such as using social media platforms to remain in contact with families.
People consistently experienced, person-centred, flexible and responsive care. Staff knew people extremely well and had a detailed understanding of people’s individual needs, communication styles and preferences, which supported them to tailor care effectively and respond to changes promptly. People were supported to achieve significant milestones, such as increased independence, developing daily living skills and engaging in community activities, which had a positive impact on their confidence and wellbeing.
There was strong evidence of improved outcomes over time, including reductions in incidents and behaviours of concern, linked to consistent staffing, effective care planning and the use of positive behaviour support approaches. People’s health and wellbeing were promoted through proactive, evidence-based care, with effective multi-disciplinary teamwork, which ensured timely access to healthcare and specialist input. Professionals praised the strong relationships they observed between staff, people and families.
The management team had developed a strong and embedded learning culture. They ensured incidents were reviewed, and learning was used to drive improvements in practice. Staff were supported through training, supervision and reflective practice, which contributed to a stable workforce and consistent care delivery. The registered manager was visible, values-driven and promoted an open and inclusive culture, where staff felt able to raise concerns and contribute to service development. Evidence showed the service had achieved sustained improvements and continued to strive for high-quality, personalised care.