- Care home
Fixby Lodge
Assessment report published 7 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Fixby Lodge is a specialist service for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The service is registered to support 8 people and at the time of our assessment, 8 people lived at the service.
We carried out this assessment on 29 June to 14 August 2026.
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 that most people take for granted. We were assured the service met the principles of this guidance, and people received safe, person-centred and outcome focused care and support.
People were supported by a consistent and skilled staff team, who knew them well. We observed kind and caring interactions and a genuine focus on meaningful relationships. Recruitment was managed safely and staff received high-quality induction, supervision and training.
The home had extensive grounds, a summer house and wildlife garden which were safe and well maintained. Medicines were managed safely. There were clear processes in place to manage safeguarding events.
People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We found the service was working within the principles of the MCA, and how they managed DoLS within the service. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions and had choice, control and freedom over their lives. This was reflected in our observations and feedback from people and relatives. Comments included, “Staff not only listen, they respect [name of person’s] wishes and listen and act upon what [name of person] wants.”
People’s needs were assessed prior to admission to the service, and the registered manager maintained a clear focus on compatibility between people. Processes were in place to ensure people’s care and support was monitored. As a result, we saw people’s health and wellbeing had improved and their independence increased.
Processes were in place to ensure people had equity in outcomes. Care plans highlighted people’s diverse needs, preferences and aspirations. Staff were creative and committed in their approach. The management team and staff demonstrated a strong commitment to person-centred support, care and improving outcomes and opportunities for people. People were supported to choose how they spent their time and had wide ranging opportunities, including individual and group activities and partaking in a craft project run by the organisation. These were driven by people’s preferences and wishes.
The provider had a clear shared vision and strategy, and the home was well supported by the registered manager and wider quality team. There was a robust programme of audits and checks, any shortfalls were addressed promptly. There was a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Leaders worked with people, their relatives and staff to build a culture which focused on enabling people to live a full life. There was a strong sense of teamwork and staff expressed their pride about working at Fixby Lodge and for the organisation. Comments included, “I have worked in care a long time and this is the best place I have worked. It doesn’t feel like work it is nice to be around the home. The [name of registered manager] is always supportive 100% of the time.”
People's experience of this service
People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring. Comments included: “I like living here and I never want to leave.” “All staff are on the ball if I go out with [name of person] and staff, all staff are trained and I cannot say a word wrong about the staff or the place.” “Happy with staff they do a good job and are all very approachable and friendly. Could not think of anything I would change it is homely and everyone is well looked after.”
People’s routines were dictated by them. People had their own spacious bedrooms, which were decorated and gave you a real feel for the person when you entered. They also had the opportunity to socialise together and have shared experiences. People told us they got along with the people they shared their home with. All the people at the service were involved in menu planning, shopping and preparing meals and snacks of their choosing. People and relatives told us this promoted people’s choices and independence.
Our observations confirmed staff’s approach was empowering, people’s views mattered and they were listened to and included. The service had an annual celebration evening, where people were encouraged to celebrate successes. There were regular meetings between people and staff where people could discuss their care and support, any changes and their future aspirations. Relatives told us they felt included and respected by staff and the management team. The service was responsive when people’s needs changed. Comments included, “Regular reviews (take place) to ensure care plan is up to date and ensure it includes what [person’s name] wants and needs.”
People told us they led full and active lives. This included taking up work opportunities, pursuing hobbies of their choice and partaking in various fundraising activities for several charities. People told us they felt safe and respected. This was reflected in our conversations with people and observations. Comments included, “[Name of person] cannot always verbally tell you how they are feeling but I know when [person’s name] is happy and they are happiest they have been at Fixby Lodge. I wish I was as well looked after.”
People and relatives gave us good feedback about the registered manager, who they described as approachable, supportive and always ‘going the extra mile’.