Dickley Court

Dickley Court is also a residential care home providing accommodation for persons who require personal care. We have written a separate report about the residential care home (short breaks) service.

An assessment has been undertaken of a service that is used by autistic people or people with a learning disability but is not registered as a specialist service. We have 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 identified breaches of regulations relating to risk management, medicines management, infection control, person centred care and good governance. Medicines had not always been managed safely. Risk assessments did not always give staff information about how to work with people safely. Some supported living houses had a strong odour in communal areas, staff had reported this and maintenance issues to the provider, these were not always addressed in a timely manner. Care plans were not always detailed in relation to people’s care and support needs. People’s care plans did not include goals and aspirations for people. The provider’s audit systems had not always detected issues identified in the assessment. Staff told us they received mandatory training and support to enable them to care for people safely. Staff told us that they would benefit from further training to aid better communication with people who used Makaton sign language. Before people accessed the service their needs were assessed. We observed there was enough staff on shift to support people. Staffing was adjusted to each person’s assessed needs. Staff worked with health professionals to ensure people got the care and support they needed. The provider had systems and processes in place to promote and support staff wellbeing. Not all staff were aware of these, the provider planned to promote this further in 2026.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

People were protected from poor care and abuse. The provider had policies in place and staff had been trained. Safeguarding concerns were reported to the appropriate authorities and the manager worked with the local safeguarding teams to ensure any issues were fully investigated.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff supported people to take part in activities of their choice. People were supported to pursue interests to keep them active and stimulated.