- Care home
Harry Priestley House
Assessment report published 16 July 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 12 May – 3 June 2026. Harry Priestley House is a residential care home providing personal care and support to adults with learning disabilities and/or autistic people. We assessed the service due to the age of the rating. At the time of this assessment there were 12 people living in the service. 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. We were assured the service provided care in line with this guidance.
Lessons learned were identified and documented which supported a culture of learning in the service. The provider shared safeguarding concerns quickly and appropriately. People were safe in Harry Priestley House. People’s care plans were person-centred and clearly identified their care needs, preferences and routines. Risks associated with the provision of care and support were assessed and mitigated. Members of staff were deployed effectively to meet people’s needs. Medication administration was managed safely.
People’s care needs were assessed and reviewed regularly. The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. People were supported to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. People’s capacity to consent to care was assessed and recorded in their care plans. Assessments were decision-specific in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice.
The provider was exceptional at treating people with kindness, empathy and compassion and in how they respected people’s privacy and dignity. Staff always treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect. Members of staff were extremely kind and caring. The provider was exceptional at promoting people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing. People were supported to make choices and have control over decision making in their home. The provider was exceptional in how they listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress.
Care was person-centred and unique and specific to each person. The provider supplied appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats tailored to individual needs. People were supported to get out and about in the local community. Members of staff supported people to engage in a range of different activities of their choosing. People were supported to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future, including at the end of their life.
The provider had a very clear shared vision, strategy and culture. This was based on transparency, equity, equality and human rights, diversity and inclusion, engagement, and an exceptional understanding of the challenges and the needs of people and their communities. Leaders had the skills, knowledge, experience and credibility to lead effectively. They always did so with integrity, openness and honesty. The registered manager led the service excellently and ensured the service remained focused on high quality and effective care for people. The provider had clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability and good governance. They used these to manage and deliver good quality, sustainable care, treatment and support. The provider focused on continuous learning, innovation and improvement across the organisation and local system.
People's experience of this service
We spent time talking to some people about their feelings and experiences of living in Harry Priestley House. We were not able to communicate with everybody using the service but it was clear people viewed the service as their home and they were very happy living there. We made phone calls to a range of people’s relatives to listen to their feedback about the service. People were relaxed and happy and chose to be around the staff who supported them. They trusted members of staff and looked to them for guidance and support when it was needed. People were keen to show us their rooms, favourite items and activities. Members of staff were proud of the achievements people they supported had made and were keen to talk about the people they supported, their likes and dislikes and their progress. People’s relatives told us they felt happy and confident their loved ones were happy and safe living in Harry Priestley House. We heard members of staff were ‘very good’ at looking after people’s physical health. One relative told us, “There is always someone to take them to their appointments.” Members of staff were praised for being ‘very caring’. Relatives told us people were supported to be independent and how their dignity was maintained at all times. Care and support was described as person-centred and we heard about how often people went out and about enjoying activities in the local community. The registered manager was recognised as being ‘very approachable’ and communication was good. Relatives told us they had confidence in the registered manager and the staff team.