- Care home
Barleycombe
Assessment report published 17 December 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 4 November 2025 to 19 November 2025
Barleycombe is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care support up to 11 people in one adapted building, with a separate flat that can accommodate 2 people. The service provides support to people with a learning disability and autistic people. This assessment was in response to concerns raised with the Care Quality Commission in relation to another of the providers locations. At the time of our assessment there were 10 people using the service.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. 'Right support, right care, right culture' is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.
People were supported to make choices and maintain control of their lives, with staff working in the least restrictive way. Risks were identified, and care plans included clear guidance to manage them. While the environment was clean, communal areas and corridors looked tired and were in need of redecoration; however, people had personalised their rooms and created warm, welcoming spaces which reflected their individuality. Staff understood how to recognise and report poor care and abuse and received sufficient training with the right skill mix. Safe recruitment processes were followed; people, staff and relatives told us there were enough staff to support people safely. People and relatives felt involved in care planning. Governance systems provided effective oversight of quality and safety; however, improvements were needed in completing some audits to ensure all information was captured and outcomes evidenced.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with five people living at the service, who told us they were happy with the care they received. For those unable to share their views directly, we observed care and support throughout the day. Staff promoted independence, and people had access to all areas of their home. During our visit, we saw people making drinks, snacks, and meals, attending clubs, and accessing the local community. They took pride in showing us around and talking about activities displayed on the walls. Relatives also gave positive feedback. One relative said, “[Person] is always happy, and I would know if they were not. I think it is excellent, the staff are good and helpful.”