- Care home
Minshull House
Assessment report published 14 May 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 31 March to 21 April 2026. Minshull House is a residential care home providing short‑breaks (respite) for up to 5 people with a learning disability and autistic people at any one time. At the time of our assessment, 5 people were using the service. This assessment was undertaken because the service had an aged 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 most people take for granted.
This provider was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of ‘Right support, right care, right culture’.
The service delivered exceptionally high‑quality, person‑centred short breaks for people with a learning disability and autistic people, consistently achieving positive outcomes that enhanced wellbeing, independence and quality of life. Support was highly individualised, strengths‑based and responsive, ensuring people felt valued, empowered and at ease during their stays.
People using the service, and their families, were well informed, fully involved and genuinely listened to. Communication was consistently accessible, creative and tailored to individual needs, enabling people to express their views, make meaningful choices and influence how support was delivered. Feedback was actively encouraged and clearly embedded into service development and daily practice.
The service demonstrated exceptional caring practice, with kindness, compassion and respect embedded in everyday care and support. Staff built warm, trusting relationships and showed a deep understanding of what mattered to each person, consistently protecting dignity, privacy and emotional wellbeing. Support was calm, empathetic and responsive, particularly during times of anxiety or distress, and people were involved in decisions in ways that worked for them.
The service was well led, with visionary, compassionate and inclusive leadership that set high expectations and inspired a culture of excellence. Governance arrangements were robust providing assurance, proactive risk management and continuous improvement. Managers and staff demonstrated transparency, accountability and a commitment to learning and improvement.
Staff were highly skilled, motivated and valued, supported through excellent training, reflective supervision and strong professional development opportunities. Equality, diversity and inclusion were embedded across the workforce, creating a respectful, supportive and safe environment enabling staff to deliver exceptional care.
Managers and staff worked collaboratively and creatively with partners, families and community organisations, promoting inclusion, continuity and access to meaningful community experiences. There was a commitment to innovation, learning and sustainability, with leaders proactively planning for future needs and driving improvements informed by best practice and lived experience.
People's experience of this service
Many people using the service were unable to share their experiences directly, so we observed care and spoke with families and professional partners.
Families consistently expressed confidence their relatives were safe and well cared for during their stays, telling us they were “100% confident” and would not use the service “If we had any concerns.” Families trusted staff completely and felt reassured by familiar staff being planned on shift and by clear, consistent communication before, during and after stays.
Families said staff knew their relatives extremely well and understood how to support complex health needs, including following established routines and using visual supports to help people feel understood and involved. Families described staff and managers as “Amazing,” “Wonderful” and “Brilliant,” and said their relatives were always treated with dignity and respect. Families told us personal touches, such as personalised bedrooms and having the same room each stay, helped their relatives feel safe and comfortable. One family member said their relative was “Always happy and excited when going to Minshull House.”
Families commented on how they valued the service’s flexibility and person‑centred planning, including advance planning of stays, maintaining familiar routines, and arranging trusted staff where possible. They told us their relatives were supported to enjoy meaningful activities both in the community and at Minshull House. Families consistently described excellent communication, their comments included, “Spot on” and “Very thorough.”
Professional partners echoed these views, describing the service as “Professional, person centred and always on hand for advice and support.” They reported high confidence in the care provided, describing the service as “Well managed, responsive and focused on what matters to people.” Families also expressed very high confidence in leadership, describing leaders as “Excellent,” “Caring” and “Top notch.”