Acorns Health Care

Updated 25 March 2026

We carried out this inspection from 31 March to 24 April 2026. The service is a supported living service, providing support to people within their own homes, including people requiring support with their mental health, people with a learning disability and autistic people. There were 36 people in receipt of a regulated activity at the time of the inspection. We inspected 33 quality statements. We inspected the service due to receiving information or concern and to follow up on the enforcement action we had taken during the previous inspection.

The provider was previously in breach of the legal regulations in relation to safeguarding from abuse and good governance. Some improvements were found at this inspection, and the provider was no longer in breach of safeguarding from abuse. The provider remained in breach of good governance.

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 found people mostly received care and support in accordance with the principles of this guidance.

People’s assessed needs, some medicines and recruitment were not always managed safely. The provider’s internal monitoring systems failed to identify all of the concerns we found during this inspection and robust action had therefore not been taken to make improvements. The registered managers and provider were motivated to improve the service and started addressing these shortfalls during the inspection.

People were protected and kept safe.People were supported by staff who treated them with kindness and respected their dignity. Staff ensured people’s care and support met individual needs and preferences. Medicines were stored safely and where people were prescribed daily medicines, these were administered safely.

Staff received appropriate training and supervision. Staff were trained to raise and respond to safeguarding concerns both internally and to external agencies. Staff were able to raise concerns and told us managers were approachable and supportive.

There was a system in place for responding to concerns or complaints. A dedicated management team led the service.

Updated 25 March 2026

We spoke with some people and relatives and used observation to assess whether people received good care.

People told us they liked living in their homes, they felt safe and they made daily choices including what time to get up, what to wear and what activities they participated in. One person told us they particularly enjoyed being supported to go swimming. They told us the registered manager supported them with this.

We spoke with relatives, 1 relative told us, “Staff listen to (relatives name) and our relative trusts them. I never hear the staff team being unkind, they are good at professional boundaries. Communication with me is good, for example, staff will phone me if my relative is distressed, to facilitate a facetime call if needed.” Another relative told us, “The staff are caring. When I visit unannounced, they are always doing activities with my relative. They use bespoke communication tools to help (relatives name) to choose meals and activities. Independent skills are encouraged, for example, putting the tea bag in a cup, cleaning the flat with prompting and mixing a cake mixture. When (relatives name) is praised, they are pleased and excited. I get photos every day of what my relative is doing and where they have been.” Another relative told us, “Managers are easy to contact. I am kept informed of changes by email. I am really comfortable with this provider and cannot see my relative living anywhere else.”

Relatives also told us the homes were clean, and they are happy with the improvements they have seen. They told us they are kept up to date with relevant information, and the management team were contactable if they have any concerns.