- Homecare service
Care4LifeHealthcare Services (Corby)
Assessment report published 18 May 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
This inspection took place during the dates 23rd February 2026 and 20th March 2026 . There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. There was a lead inspector, and a regulatory coordinator carrying out the inspection.
Care4LifeHealthcare Services provides supported living to people that have learning disabilities with complex support needs. At the time of the inspection one person was being supported with regulated activity.
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 the respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
People who had Care4LifeHealthcare Services support were consistently treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. The service provided exceptionally tailored care, and support from a compassionate, trained staff team, who were skilled, knowledgeable, and able to meet people’s holistic needs. Managers ensured that staff had relevant training, regular supervision and appraisal tailored to the needs of the people they were providing care and support to. If restrictive practices were used, this was only considered after a full assessment. A system was in place with reviews to ensure the least restrictive options were being used and were in line with people’s best interests. Staff fully understood their roles and responsibilities under the Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Staff supported people with recognised models of care and best practice for people with a learning disability or autistic people. People and their relatives were fully involved and integral in assessments of their needs with evidence of joint meetings and specific requests acted upon.
Relatives brought in home cooked food for people, and staff recognised the importance of this for the person. Family visiting was given a priority over the days plan. An example of this was when a relative brought in take away for lunch which was accommodated with no issues. The service utilised people’s preferred communication methods to ensure they could maximise their involvement in reviews of their personal and health needs.
Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Leadership was excellent, and governance processes helped the service to keep people safe, protect their human rights and provide good care and support. The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured people using services led confident, inclusive and empowered lives. The model of care and setting fully maximised people’s choice, control and independence. Care provision was exceptionally person-centred, ensuring people’s dignity, privacy and human rights were fully respected. Staff worked closely with all agencies involved in people’s care and strived for the best outcomes for people. They monitored people’s health to support healthy living and reduce potential health inequalities. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment using appropriate communication aids and, if needed, found other innovative ways of communicating to support people’s autonomy The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equitable care and treatment. Staff worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally. They understood their roles and responsibilities. Feedback we received from all partners was positive, with external teams praising the approach of the management and staff team.
People's experience of this service
People were truly respected and valued as individuals. One health professional told us, “The care team who support the [person] are brilliant with them; they know them very well.” Care and support were delivered in a safe, clean, well-equipped and well-maintained environment. People’s sensory and physical needs had been thoughtfully considered to ensure the setting was suitable for them. One person had been supported to move into a new environment, with the provider using their extensive knowledge to ensure it was the most appropriate setting. This meant the person’s needs could be safely met, both for them and for the staff supporting them. The property blends discreetly into the surrounding residential area and provides ample indoor and outdoor space, allowing the person to move around as they chose.
People were protected from abuse and poor care. The service had sufficient, appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Staff feedback evidenced they understood people as individuals, and celebrated their skills, achievements and goals.
People were supported to have control over their own lives. Their human rights were fully upheld.
People received exceptionally kind and compassionate care from staff who protected and respected their privacy and dignity and understood each person’s individual needs. Staff knew people very well, which meant people’s communication needs were met and information was shared with them in a way they could understand.
People’s risks were assessed regularly and managed safely. People were supported to take risks in a positive and supportive way.
People made choices and took part in activities which were part of their planned care and support. Staff supported people to have wishes and to achieve their goals and aspirations.
People’s care, treatment and support plans, reflected their holistic needs including their sensory, cognitive and functioning needs. People received care, support and treatment that met their needs, even when these could be unpredictable. Care focused on people’s quality of life and followed best practice. Staff used clinical and quality audits to evaluate the quality of care.
People and those important to them were actively involved in planning their care. A multidisciplinary team worked well together to provide the planned care, creating meaningful, person-centred support plans.
People had clear plans in place to support them in a community setting. Staff worked well with external services to ensure people received the right care and support.