The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated two services run by Leaf Somerset as outstanding following inspections in December 2025.
Leaf Somerset based in Weston-Super-Mare provides supported living and homecare services to adults and children with learning disabilities and autism, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and substance misuse. These were the first inspections of both services.
Inspectors found people received exceptionally personalised care that transformed their lives. Many people had previously experienced care breakdowns or services that did not meet their needs but were now thriving with support tailored specifically to them.
CQC rated both Leaf Somerset – Supported Living and Leaf Somerset – Homecare as outstanding for being effective and responsive. Safe, caring and well-led were rated as good.
Stefan Kallee CQC deputy director of adult social care in North Somerset, said:
“When we inspected Leaf Somerset, it was very clear that people were at the centre of everything they do. Staff treated each person as an individual and worked creatively to help them achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives.
“People told us they felt safe, and we saw how staff supported positive risk-taking. Rather than restricting people, they encouraged them to try new experiences. For example, people had been supported to visit the hairdresser, take part in household tasks, and enjoy trips to the cinema.
“Care plans included personalised information about how people’s health needs were managed. Staff understood people's individual ways of communicating, including signs of distress, and knew how to recognise when they were in pain. Where people had specific health conditions, we saw clear guidance was in place to ensure they were supported effectively.
“Leaders had created an open and supportive culture where staff felt confident to share concerns and learn from incidents. The service worked closely with families and healthcare professionals to provide consistent, high-quality care.
“Overall, Leaf Somerset is making a positive difference to people’s lives, and their approach offers valuable learning for other services. Leaders and staff should be delighted with the findings of our report, which reflect their dedication and the excellent care they are providing to people.”
Inspectors found:
- Staff supported people at their own pace to develop everyday skills and work towards personal goals, such as going on holiday and being involved in food preparation attending health appointments and accessing education.
- The service used a range of communication tools including social stories, pictures and video animation so people could express their choices and be involved in decisions about their care.
- Staff received bespoke training about each person they supported, including specialist training in areas like relationships and sex education.
- Families described how transitions were managed at the person's pace, with staff introduced slowly to give people time to build trust.
- The service achieved national accreditation for caring for autistic people in 2025, demonstrating their commitment to high-quality care for the people in their care.
- Leaders encouraged positive risk-taking so people could enjoy activities like visiting local parks and going on holiday and accessing community amenities.
We will publish the Leaf Somerset report on the website in the coming days.