Devon Lodge

Updated 6 August 2026

Date of Assessment: 19 to 26 August 2026

Devon Lodge is a care home providing personal care for up to 12 people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. There were 12 people living at the service during this assessment. We inspected this service to follow up on identified breaches of regulation on our previous inspection. At this inspection, we found the provider was no longer in breach of the legal regulations relating to safe care and treatment and good governance.

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.

The provider had systems in place to assess, plan, review and monitor care and support. Staff worked collaboratively with relatives, health and social care professionals and other partners to help ensure people received coordinated and person-centred support. The service demonstrated a strong commitment to learning, continuous improvement and achieving positive outcomes for people.

Leaders had continued to strengthen systems and processes across the service since our previous assessment. There was evidence of learning from incidents, regular quality assurance activity and ongoing review of people's support needs. Staff were supported through training, supervision and reflective practice, and leaders promoted an open culture where feedback and learning were encouraged.

During this assessment, we identified some shortfalls relating to environmental safety, infection prevention and control, medicines monitoring and governance oversight. While governance systems had improved significantly since the last assessment, some environmental, IPC and medicines monitoring concerns had not been fully identified through routine oversight processes. Leaders responded promptly and positively to the concerns raised and took immediate action to strengthen monitoring and reduce risks.

Overall, the service demonstrated the principles of Right Support, Right Care and Right Culture. Leaders were committed to maintaining and improving standards of care, and there was a clear focus on promoting people's safety, wellbeing, independence and quality of life. The provider had established a positive culture of learning and improvement and demonstrated a willingness to act when opportunities to further improve the service were identified.

Updated 6 August 2026

Most people could not speak directly with us about their experiences. We therefore assessed people’s experiences through observation, discussions with staff and relatives, contact with professionals and review of their care records.

There was a calm, relaxed and positive atmosphere throughout the service. During our assessment, people spent time doing things they enjoyed, including listening to music, completing puzzles, engaging in sensory activities, spending time in the garden, scootering and taking part in organised activities. Staff interacted with people in a warm, patient and encouraging manner. People appeared relaxed and at ease within their home environment and confidently approached staff when they required support or reassurance.

Support was tailored to people's individual preferences, communication needs and routines. Staff demonstrated a detailed understanding of people's individual communication styles, routines, preferences and sensory needs. Many people communicated non-verbally, and staff were skilled at recognising gestures, behaviours, facial expressions and other cues which helped them understand what people were communicating. Staff adapted their approach according to each person's needs and used a range of communication tools to support involvement in day-to-day decisions.

Promoting choice and independence was clearly embedded in daily practice. People chose how they spent their time, what activities they took part in, when they ate meals and how they wanted to be supported. We observed flexible routines centred around people's preferences rather than the needs of the service. Staff encouraged people to develop life skills, maintain independence and take positive risks whilst providing support when needed.

The home reflected the people who lived there. Bedrooms were personalised to individual interests and preferences, and adaptations had been made where necessary to help people remain safe whilst maintaining their independence. Meaningful activities formed a significant part of people's lives. Relatives described people accessing swimming, horse riding, discos, shopping trips, boat rides, social clubs and other opportunities within their communities. We also saw people enjoying quieter activities and spending time in environments that suited their sensory needs and preferences.

Care and support were delivered with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff consistently involved people in decisions, encouraged participation and promoted privacy. People were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them. Relatives told us staff treated people as individuals and spoke positively about the caring relationships that had developed. Families described improvements in people's confidence, wellbeing and engagement since living at the service.

Support extended beyond people's day-to-day care needs. Staff worked closely with relatives and healthcare professionals to help people maintain their health and wellbeing and achieve their personal goals. Individuals were supported to access healthcare services, maintain important relationships and work towards greater independence where appropriate. Relatives and professionals consistently described staff as committed, responsive and focused on achieving positive outcomes.

People received person-centred support from staff who knew them well and were committed to helping them live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Throughout our assessment, we observed a caring culture where people's individuality was respected, their choices were valued and support was tailored to what mattered most to them.